Norway national team coach Ståle Solbakken confirmed at a press conference on Friday that Julian Ryerson has already left the national team and will not participate in Sunday's match against Portugal.

Ryerson was substituted early in Thursday's match against Wales due to injury. Solbakken explained: "He was tested in training yesterday and had no problems then, but in the first few challenges of the match, he took a hit or something similar, which caused the pain to become unbearable."

In fact, Ryerson had been suffering from rib pain before the match against Wales, and he was also substituted early in a previous match against Portugal.

When asked if it was risky to start Ryerson against Wales, Solbakken said: "You could say that, but he underwent and passed all the tests. For a rib injury, after those situations occurred, we examined him, and he was cleared to play."

In addition to Ryerson, center-back Torbjørn Heggem will also leave the national team early. Heggem received a red card in the match against Wales and will therefore be suspended for the upcoming match against Portugal.

The absence of the two players means Solbakken will have to adjust the defense against Portugal, but Norway will not call up any replacement players.

Solbakken stated: "That's why we always bring five center-backs; we have enough personnel at the center-back position. Ryerson has gone home, and we still have three right-backs, so there's absolutely no reason to call up more players. That's also why we called up two extra players, so we don't have to make emergency call-ups."

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com