World Cup

Nicklas Bendtner misses out on Denmark World Cup squad due to injury

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 04 June 2018

Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner is omitted from Denmark's final 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup in Russia because of a groin injury.

Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has been left out of Denmark's 23-man squad for the World Cup because of a groin injury.

The 30-year-old injured himself playing for current club Rosenborg before joining up with the national team and missed last Saturday's goalless draw against Sweden in Stockholm.

Bendtner had been included in Denmark's 27-man provisional squad but is one of four players to miss the final cut, along with Brentford defender Andreas Bjelland.

"We don't believe they'll be fit in time for the first game against Peru, it's too tight and that match is very important," Denmark head coach Age Hareide told reporters.

"Most likely, we are battling Peru and Australia for second place, and that's why it's important to get a good start, and we have to have fit players."

Denmark face Mexico on Saturday in their final warm-up match before the tournament in Russia, which sees them take on Peru, Australia and France in Group C.

Denmark 23-man World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City), Frederik Ronnow (Brondby), Jonas Lossl (Huddersfield Town).

Defenders: Simon Kjaer (Sevilla), Mathias Jorgensen (Huddersfield), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford), Jannik Vestergaard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich Town).

Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur), Lasse Schone (Ajax), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Deportivo La Coruna), Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen), William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Lukas Lerager (Bordeaux).

Forwards: Andreas Cornelius (Atalanta), Kasper Dolberg (Ajax), Martin Braithwaite (Bordeaux), Nicolai Jorgensen (Feyenoord), Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo), Viktor Fischer (FC Copenhagen), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).