Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson is very unlikely to recover from injury in time to play in the World Cup Group D game against Nigeria on Friday, his coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said.
“He is getting better every day. He is in good hands. I am not going to hide that it is very unlikely that he will play,” Hallgrimsson told reporters on Thursday.
Gudmundsson was substituted midway through the second half of Iceland’s surprise 1-1 draw with twice world champions Argentina on Saturday.
Hallgrimsson said the absence of the winger, who plays for Burnley in England’s Premier League, would not upset the balance of his team.
“We are not afraid. It will not change the plans that we have decided before this game,” he said.
Iceland playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, who recovered from injury in time for the World Cup and played against Argentina, is 100 per cent fit.