Blues midfielder gets Sweden call

Oct 3 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

SEBASTIAN Larsson has been called-up to the Sweden senior squad for the first time.

It is just reward for his fine start to the season for Blues on the right flank.

Larsson, aged 22, has been capped a dozen times at under-21 level but it was a source of frustration to him t hat he hadn't been considered for the next step up - until now.

And he could come up against team-mate Maik Taylor as Sweden's next Euro 2008 qualifying games are against Liechtenstein (October 13) and then Northern Ireland (0ctober 17).

Meanwhile, injured loan midfielder Oubina has cast doubt on whether he will be fit to play again this season.

He has undergone surgery on the ruptured ligament in his knee.

"The doctor said that I would not be back in five months like I was when I hurt my knee at 16-years-old," said the Celta Vigo schemer.

"My body will tell me when I am ready to come back. Whether it is five, six, seven or eight months, I want to be perfect when I return. I am still young and have a lot of time and when I come back I want to keep improving."

Oubina attached no blame to Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, who felled him with a tackle.

He said: "When he kicked me, my leg remained in the ground and didn't turn. It was not Kuyt's fault."