OLE PRAISED BY COACH

From the MEN:

Norway's soccer team boss, the former Manchester City defender Aage Hareide:

"I was criticised by some people in Norway for trying to get him back into the Norway line-up so quickly. But I had seen him against Porto in the Amsterdam tournament. His fitness levels were incredible. United were down to nine men but Ole was running all over the place and scored a goal out of nothing. His touch and movement were remarkable.

"I knew what I was doing and knew what he was capable of. Just to have him in the squad is fantastic because he lifts everybody. He does a great job encouraging others. His love for the game is fantastic and I am so happy he has come back in such great form.

"Ole's comeback is an astonishing story but Kjetil's (Kjetil Andre Aamodt a Norwegian skiing legend who badly injured his ankle breaking the joint and also suffering considerable ligament damage) too is remarkable. Kjetil destroyed everything in his ankle and it didn't look good at all. To perform again at Olympic level and win gold is incredible and his is the only return from injury to a top level I can think is similar to Ole's. I think there were times when he was feeling bad about it all but I think Aamodt's predicament and patience encouraged him and in both cases their perseverance paid off.

"I think Ole looked at Kjetil and said if he can do it so can I.

"I admit at times I was one of the people who harboured concerns. But I also know what Ole is like and the kind of character he is. He would never be satisfied. He's a hard worker."