Norway opt to drop Ole

Norway coach Aage Hareide will drop Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Moldova.

Norway coach Aage Hareide has revealed he will drop two-goal hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the bench for Wednesday's qualifier against Moldova.

The Manchester United striker scored twice in Saturday's 4-1 win over Hungary to take another significant step in his comeback from nearly three seasons of injury-induced misery.

When the 33-year-old was recalled to the international scene so soon after returning to fitness his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson voiced his opposition, and as such Hareide's decision to now drop Solskjaer has sparked suggestions he is pandering to the whim of the United boss in some quarters of the Norwegian media.

However Hareide says he has made his decision for the game in Oslo based purely on fitness reasons.

"Ole Gunnar played a good game against Hungary but he has to be used sensibly after his long injury, and so he won't be starting against Moldova," Hareide said in an interview on the Norwegian Football association's website.

"It would have been medically unacceptable (to start him)."

Solskjaer himself has admitted he is keen to start against Moldova, however he also understands the cautionary move taken by his national boss.

"I would have liked to play, but I understand the reasons," Solskjaer told VG.

"It might be wise that people around me stop me some times."