Wednesday, 14th August, 2013
Sweden coach Erik Hamren and striker Ola Toivonen appear to have mixed views over whether the player's reduced game time domestically will have an effect on his national future.
Toivonen's refusal to join Norwich City earlier in the summer means he has been virtually out-of-favour at PSV Eindhoven.
He has been reduced to a substitute's role this season, playing just 23 minutes over two games in the Eredivisie so far.
However, Hamren has nonetheless included Toivonen in the squad for tonight's friendly against Scandinavian rivals Norway.
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"The reason that Ola does not play [as first choice] is the club's call", Hamren told a press conference.
"It's not a sporting reason, and hence there is no problem for him with the national team.
"Of course I'd rather have a team with players who have match practice, but it may be that I call less players who play [regularly] at their club. This is due to factors such as competition or position."
Toivonen had recently claimed that Norwich were never categorically ruled out, while PSV coach Phillip Cocu may well bring the issue of a contract extension up.
Either way, Toivonen will be hoping things can be resolved quickly, as he fears for this place in the national team.
"You have to play", Toivonen told Swedish newspaper Expressen. "That is the reality we all live in; everyone wants to play.
"We'll see what happens in August and if nothing happens then we'll see what PSV say."
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