The Brentford midfielder will miss Denmark's Nations League game against Wales after suffering an ankle problem against Portugal.
Brentford have a fresh injury concern over Mikkel Damsgaard after the midfielder was forced to leave the Denmark squad before their final game of the international break.
The Danish FA confirmed on Saturday that Damsgaard will miss Sunday’s Nations League meeting with Wales, with Norwich City forward Mathias Kvistgaarden called up in his place. No recovery timeline was included in the announcement.
Damsgaard had already raised concerns towards the end of Denmark’s 4-2 defeat to Portugal on Thursday, when he was substituted in the 85th minute after rolling his ankle.
It brought a frustrating end to what had otherwise been an excellent night individually. Damsgaard scored Denmark’s first equaliser after 23 minutes and later released Rasmus Højlund for the finish which made it 2-2 early in the second half. Portugal later won, but the Brentford midfielder’s performance earned him Denmark’s player of the match award.
Speaking after the match, Damsgaard did not know how significant the problem was.
“I rolled my ankle, so I need to go in and find out what it is, but I hope it’s okay,” he said.
That hope has at least not been enough to keep him in amongst the Denmark squad this weekend.
Damsgaard has become increasingly important for Brian Riemer’s side and had been enjoying a productive international period before his withdrawal. He scored from a free-kick against Norway in September and was involved in both goals when Denmark beat Wales 2-0 three days later.
His performances for Denmark have come alongside regular football at Brentford. Keith Andrews has used Damsgaard in midfield during the opening weeks of the Premier League season, making five starts across seven appearances in all competitions for the Bees.
The timing means Brentford will now have to assess him before returning to league action.
Damsgaard has left the Denmark camp rather than staying for the trip to Cardiff. However, the Danish FA has not said whether that decision is precautionary or indicative of a longer absence. His own description after the Portugal match remains the clearest indication of where the problem occurred.
Andrews’ side travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, October 10, before Liverpool visit the Gtech Community Stadium seven days later. Whether Damsgaard is able to take part at Villa Park will depend on what Brentford find once he returns from international duty.
For now, the only certainty is that the injury which ended his night against Portugal has also brought his Denmark camp to an early finish.
