Hugo Larsson handed Sweden lifeline just 24 hours after Graham Potter omission

Hugo Larsson has been called into Sweden’s squad just 24 hours after Graham Potter explained why the Fulham midfielder had initially been left out.

The 22-year-old was missing from Potter’s original selection for the extended international break, with the Sweden manager pointing towards Larsson’s limited football since completing his move to Fulham.

However, an injury to Wolfsburg midfielder Mattias Svanberg has now opened the door for Larsson to make an immediate return.

Potter had been clear when explaining Larsson’s original omission.

“In Hugo’s case, it’s a matter of me sticking with the same midfielders,” Potter said. “Hugo has made a big move and hasn’t played that much football. It’s important for him to adapt to a new league and a new club.”

The Sweden manager stressed there was nothing negative behind the decision and described leaving Larsson and Williot Svanberg out as entirely his choice.

Only a day later, circumstances changed.

Sweden confirmed Mattias Svanberg will miss the upcoming fixtures because of a minor injury, with Potter choosing Larsson as his replacement.

“Head coach Graham Potter has chosen to call up Hugo Larsson as a replacement,” the Swedish FA confirmed.

Larsson will now join the Sweden squad when they convene on Monday ahead of matches against Romania, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania again.

Whether he receives significant playing time remains unclear.

Potter’s comments before Svanberg’s injury showed that Larsson was initially behind other midfield options, partly because of his adaptation period at Fulham and lack of regular minutes.

The late call-up nevertheless gives him an opportunity to change that situation.

Instead of spending the international break trying to force his way back into Potter’s thinking from Fulham, Larsson can now make his case directly in Sweden training and potentially during four Nations League fixtures.

It has been a rapid change in circumstances for the midfielder — from being publicly told why he was outside the squad to being back among Potter’s options within 24 hours.

Larsson will join Sweden’s squad on Monday before their extended Nations League programme against Romania, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

His challenge is now to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity and show Potter that he deserves to remain involved when Sweden’s next squad is selected.