Eriksen named in preliminary Denmark squad

Manchester United midfielder one of 21 players named by coach Hjulmand for World Cup

COPENHAGEN:

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020, was one of 21 players named by Kasper Hjulmand on Monday in Denmark's World Cup squad, with the coach set to name the remaining five players in the coming days.

The full list must be presented by next Monday at the latest, the day before the team leaves for Qatar.

"There are 10 to 12 players competing for the last places," said Hjulmand.

"A lot can happen. It's uncertain, but it's the right way to go. There are two games left for many players, and things could change."

Eriksen spent eight months out of the game after collapsing in Denmark's opening game of the European Championships against Finland in Copenhagen on June 12 last year, remaining lifeless for long minutes.

He had to be resuscitated on the pitch, lying unconscious for several minutes as the stunned crowd and millions of television viewers around the world watched on in horror.

Eriksen spent several days in hospital and had a pacemaker implanted to regulate his heartbeat which necessitated a move from Inter Milan to Brentford in the Premier League.

He then scored on his international return against the Netherlands in March.

Regulars such as capitain Simon Kjaer are on the list although there is no place yet for Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard and Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen.

In Group D, Denmark begin their World Cup on November 22 against Tunisia, before meeting France, the defending champions, and Australia.

Tenth in the FIFA world rankings, Denmark has been among the countries most critical of the holding of the World Cup in Qatar.

Denmark preliminary squad:

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Nice/FRA), Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin/GER)

Defenders: Daniel Wass (Brondby), Rasmus Nissen Kristensen (Leeds United/ENG), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor/TUR), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta/ITA), Andreas Christensen (Barcelone/ESP), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan/ITA), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace/ENG), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray/TUR)

Midfielders: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham/ENG), Thomas Delaney (Seville/ESP), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United/ENG), Mathias Jensen (Brentford/ENG)

Forwards: Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford/ENG), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge/BEL), Jesper Lindstrom (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Martin Braithwaite (Silkeborg), Kasper Dolberg (Seville/ESP), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg/GER), Andreas Cornelius (FC Copenhagen).