Hareide hampered by injury doubts over strikers

NORWAY head coach Age Hareide is expecting mixed news on the striker front ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland.

Both John Carew and Steffen Iversen are carrying injuries, and while the former looks set to shake off a neck strain, the latter appears all but certain to miss the Group 9 game at Hampden after suffering a leg problem.

Hareide said: "We have a hope for Steffen, but I cannot ruin the rest of the club season by risking him if he is not 100 per cent. Carew should make it."

Norway's team doctor, Thor-Einar Andersen, confirmed that Carew was recovering well from the problem he sustained in Aston Villa's Barclays Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Sunday and it is hoped he will return to training with the team today. Iversen is desperate to defy his prognosis and travel with the squad to Glasgow.

He said: "It is better than two days ago. I would love to play, but is hard to say. Wednesday will give us more answers."

The loss of the former Tottenham player, who has one more chance to prove his fitness today, would deepen the injury crisis that has hit Norway in the build-up to this weekend's Group 9 encounter in Glasgow. Fellow forward Mohammed Abdellaoue (ankle) is already out.

Also absent are midfielders Martin Andresen (groin), Per Ciljan Skjelbred (knee) and Vladimir Demidov (groin), the latter withdrawing yesterday less than 24 hours after being called up as a replacement.

To make matters worse, striker Thorstein Helstad and midfielder Tom Hogli were unable to train yesterday. Helstad was rested as a precaution, but Hogli is awaiting the results of a scan on a calf problem.

Meanwhile, Scotland will hope Swiss referee Massimo Busacca brings a touch of luck to Saturday's clash with Norway, just as he did when he last officiated at Hampden in the 1-0 victory over France two years ago.

Then, Busacca ruled out goals by Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet before Gary Caldwell slid home a priceless winner in the Euro 2008 qualifier.