Mikael Lustig has been told that his groin injury is a minor strain with the defender hoping to face Belgium in Sweden’s final group match.
Things looked ominous for the former Rosenborg man when he went down injured late in the first half against Ireland without any obvious contact and was instantly substituted.
With his recent injury track record it seemed certain that his Euro 2016 campaign would be over but after Tuesday’s scan revealed no major damage the injury will be monitored on a daily basis.
According to the official Swedish FA website Lustig: “was examined on Tuesday by the team’s medical team concluded that the injury was less serious than first feared. It is about a small stretch in the right groin.
The statement added: “Confirmed the medical team that it was a muscular injury in the right groin, but that still did not know the extent of.
“Therefore awaiting medical team on surveys conducted today. Among other magnetic x-rayed Mikael Lustig, but the images showed only “very discreet strain”.
“Thus, this is a minor route that does not at all preclude the possibility for him to continue playing in the European Championship tournament, but now it is about taking one day at a time and await developments.
Lustig said: “It is clear that it feels hard, but it’s still nice to know that it is only a minor extent. Now just to work on the rehabilitation and hope that I will soon be back.”
Sweden face a daunting task on Friday against Italy after Antonio Conte’s side impressed in the 2-0 win over Belgium.
After the match the Chelsea bound manager said: “I’ve been repeating from the beginning – and I’m not one to tell lies – that this is a group first and foremost of men, and then footballers.
“That’s important because in a tournament like this you need an alchemy of people who get on well together, and the biggest satisfaction for me tonight is to see how happy they all were, including those on the bench. There’s a very good spirit in this squad.
“We have big intentions and our objective remains the same, to get into the last 16. The objective is to get where we deserve to be, without any regrets. I think the fans are pleased when they see 23 footballers giving everything on the field and who are willing to spit blood.
“I cannot deny that I was very, very emotional – to be coach of a country in such a big tournament doesn’t happen every day.
“It’s something unique for the lads to wear this shirt, but I’d like to say also that with this unity of intention, we can do great things.”
Sweden face Italy in Toulouse on Friday with Ireland taking on Belgium in Bordeaux the following day in the second round of Group E fixtures.