Iceland midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson has not recovered from the calf injury he picked up against Argentina and is set to miss Friday's crucial Group D clash with Nigeria.
Iceland's coach said Thursday that the injury means he will make changes to his line-up but boldly predicted his side, who held Argentina to a 1-1 draw, would beat the Super Eagles in Volgograd.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "We expect to win," coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told reporters at the Volgograd Arena after a brief training session. "It is very unlikely that Joey will play. But he's getting better every day, and is in good hands," Hallgrimsson said.
Gudmundsson was forced off after an hour against Argentina but there was better news on Swansea City's Gylfi Sigurdsson who is now '100 per cent fit'.
"We have been rotating the team in preparation so we are ready to switch it around and it doesn't change our plans how we will approach this game."
Iceland are buoyant after their shock result against Argentina while Nigeria lost their opener 2-0 to Croatia.
Hallgrimsson said he expected the Africans to come out firing. "This is a must-win game for Nigeria, and that makes it a little bit psychologically different, they have to win," he said.
“This group is going to be decided in the last minutes, in the last game."
Leave your comments