Martin Odegaard Returns to Norway Training as Stale Solbakken Gives Injury Update

Martin Odegaard returned to training with Norway on Wednesday as he stepped up his recovery from the ankle problem suffered against Portugal.

The Arsenal captain was seen training with the squad at Cardiff City Stadium on September 30, having missed a Norway session earlier in the week. His involvement does not yet guarantee a place against Wales, but it is the clearest sign so far that the injury has improved since Sunday.

Odegaard picked up the problem late in Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal after being caught by Bernardo Silva. He completed the game but was left in discomfort afterwards, with Norway taking a cautious approach during the days that followed.

Stale Solbakken still couldn't give a firm answer on his availability for their match against Wales when he spoke before Wednesday's training session.

"I wish I could say yes, but I can't. I can't say no either," Solbakken said in his press conference. "He will test himself a little today. If he had been unavailable, he obviously wouldn't have been here."

Kristoffer Ajer was also asked about the challenge that caused the injury and felt there was little argument over how late it was.

"I think everyone who saw the incident agrees that it was a late kick," Ajer said. "He was obviously injured. I'm interested to see how he looks in training today, and hopefully he'll be ready."

Ajer said the Arsenal midfielder had remained with the group throughout the week and had been positive despite the setback. Also noting that a number of the midfielder's recent injury problems have come from challenges similar to the one against Portugal.

"I thought he handled it maturely and well. He did the right things to minimise the damage," said. "He's been with the group the whole time and has been positive over the last few days."

Solbakken has prepared for the possibility of being without him. Norway have used different systems and midfield combinations in previous periods when Odegaard has been unavailable, and the manager said several options were ready if his captain could not start.

"We have many different types and many different combinations we can use," Solbakken told press. "If Martin can't make it, we'll find some good solutions, as we did in both the Nations League and World Cup qualifiers."

There has been little reason for Norway to make an early call. Odegaard has made enough progress to travel and return to the training pitch, while Solbakken already knows how he would reshape the team if the midfielder does not come through the final checks.

Arsenal will get their captain back after the international break, with Leeds United visiting the Emirates on October 10.

Before then, Norway still have to decide whether Wednesday's return to training has come soon enough for Odegaard to face Wales, with a final trip to Portugal this weekend to round off their set of Nations League Fixtures.