Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson named in final Iceland squad for World Cup as he continues his battle for fitness
Monday 21st May 2018
Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson has been named in Iceland’s 23-man squad that will head to the World Cup in Russia.
Gunnarsson hobbled off after just 10 minutes during Cardiff’s 2-0 win over Hull City in April, and there were major doubts whether he would recover in time for this summer’s tournament.
The midfielder was expected to miss several weeks after his injury at the KCOM Stadium, but he will be on the plane to Russia.
The 29-year-old had his injury problems throughout the Bluebirds’ campaign this season, featuring in 20 of their 46 league fixtures under manager Neil Warnock.
Gunnarsson, who enjoyed his second promotion to the top flight with the Bluebirds, netted in their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest last month, in a victory that had huge significance at the top of the Championship.
Gunnarsson’s last appearance for his country came as a second-half substitute against Qatar in a friendly in November 2017.
Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Bristol City’s Hordur Magnusson have all been included in the squad.
Iceland reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, and captain Gunnarsson will be hoping his side can put it the same level of performances that were so successful in France.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side face Argentina in their opening game, before taking on Nigeria and then conclude their group fixtures against Croatia.
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