Larsson not named in Sweden squad
 |  Larsson made his return at the weekend after six months out of action |
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STOCKHOLM. Sweden -- Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has named a 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifier at home to Malta on June 4 and a friendly against Norway on June 8.
Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson, who recently returned to action after being sidelined for six months with a serious knee injury, has not been included.
"He has been away from the pitch for quite a while and is still not in shape for it," Lagerback said.
Larsson, 33, who has scored 32 goals in 82 appearances for Sweden, made his return to action in Barcelona's final home game at the weekend in their 3-3 draw with Villarreal.
Brondby striker Johan Elmander has been included in Larsson's absence.
Sweden are one point behind Croatia in European zone Group Eight with both sides having played five games.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (Rennes), Eddie Gustafsson (Ham-Kam)
Defenders: Christoffer Andersson (Lillestrom), Erik Edman (Tottenham), Petter Hansson (Heerenveen), Teddy Lucic (Hacken), Daniel Majstorovic (FC Twente), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa), Mikael Nilsson (Southampton), Alexander Ostlund (Feyenoord)
Midfielders: Niclas Alexandersson (Gothenburg), Daniel Andersson (Malmo), Alexander Farnerud (Strasbourg), Kim Kallstrom (Rennes), Tobias Linderoth (Copenhagen), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Anders Svensson (Southampton), Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht)
Forwards: Marcus Allback (Hansa Rostock), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus), Mattias Jonson (Norwich City), Markus Rosenberg (Malmo), Fredrik Berglund (Esbjerg), Johan Elmander (Brondby)
