Olsen admits Bendtner doubt

Denmark boss predicts long recovery for Gunners striker

By Kent Hedlundh   Last updated: 24th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Olsen admits Bendtner doubt

Bendtner: Could be out until next year

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Denmark coach Morten Olsen does not expect injured Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner to return to the international stage until next year.

Bendtner, who represented his country at the World Cup this summer, is currently recovering from a groin injury which caused him to miss much of last season.

The 22-year-old, who has parted ways with specialist Soren Malling after labelling him a 'self-publicist', said on Tuesday that he hopes to resume training with the Gunners in around six weeks' time.

But Olsen believes Bendtner still has a long way to go before he is fully fit, and does not expect him to feature in Denmark's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign before the end of the year.

"What I believed after the World Cup still stands," Olsen told TV2.

"That is, we won't get to see Nicklas Bendtner play for the national team until next year.

"The problem with injuries is that neither treatment nor the player who is injured can tell when he will be fit.

"He should not force it. He has to be 100 per cent fit before he plays to live up to his and others' expectations."