By next month, Norway will face Italy in a challenging World Cup qualifying match, and the team will need its best players in top condition. While some of the squad may remain relatively fresh due to the recent conclusion of their domestic league season, others who play in England’s second division will have had nearly a month without competitive football. This extended break may lead to a lack of match sharpness, which presents a potential issue for those players expected to feature in Ståle Solbakken’s plans.
Solbakken is fully aware of this situation and has been working on ways to ensure his players stay fit and ready for the upcoming international fixture. Maintaining the fitness and readiness of key individuals has become a priority, and one such player is Torbjørn Heggem of West Brom. The 26-year-old is an important part of the national team’s defensive setup. However, with West Brom’s season now concluded, keeping Heggem physically prepared for international duty poses a challenge.
Solbakken has outlined the approach being taken to address this, as cited by TV2: “We have to tailor a plan for Torbjørn, and Rosenborg has been helpful in that. I have been to Trondheim and met Alfred Johansson and also had a good chat with Mikael Dorsin. Torbjørn will be training with Rosenborg from May 17th.”
This plan has been carefully arranged to ensure Heggem continues to train at a high level during the break, allowing him to remain in top condition ahead of the Italy match. It reflects a broader commitment from the national team staff to ensure that all selected players arrive at the international camp in optimal shape.
As Solbakken put it, “Heggem is one of our key players, and one month is a long time for him to stay fit, so we hope this plan works.”
