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Swedes select Larsson for friendly

Larsson suffered cruciate ligament damage last November

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Reuters) -- Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson, who only recently recovered from a serious leg injury, has been picked by coach Lars Lagerback for Sweden's friendly against the Czech Republic next week.

The Swedes, who trail leaders Croatia by one point in Group Eight in the World Cup qualifiers, are taking the friendly on August 17 seriously.

Lagerback has named his leading players for the match, including Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg and Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Midfielder Kim Kallstrom of Stade Rennes also returns to the national team after a lengthy absence.

Larsson joined Barcelona from Celtic last season but suffered cruciate ligament damage in November and spent much of the campaign on the sidelines.

This summer he accepted an extension to his contract with the Spanish champions until June 2006.

He was left out of Sweden's squad for the World Cup qualifier against Malta and the friendly against Norway in May but Lagerback now believes he is ready to make his return.

Van Bronckhorst blow

Barca's Dutch defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst will miss the Spanish Super Cup first leg and is doubtful for the Netherlands friendly against Germany next week because of a calf injury.

Barcelona doctor Lluis Til said on Tuesday the left back would be out of action for eight to 10 days because of a calf strain in his right leg.

League champions Barcelona play King's Cup winners Real Betis in the first leg of the Super Cup -- the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season -- in Seville on Saturday.

The Dutch play Germany in Rotterdam next Wednesday as part of their preparations for September's World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Andorra.

They lead Group One by a point from the Czech Republic after eight games.

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