Viktor helps to call the tune after Sweden's home draw

SWEDEN'S newly-promoted number one Viktor Johansson watched their final World Cup qualifying match from the stands - but joined his gloves rival in a post-match singsong.

- Peter Smith

NATIONAL SERVICE: Keeper Viktor Johansson was in the stands for Sweden. Inset: Sorba Thomas.

The Stoke City keeper was left out of Sweden's match against Slovenia in Stockholm on Tuesday night as a precaution “after a comprehensive assessment” due to what was described as “a slight limp” - and the fact he was one yellow card away from suspension.

The 27-year-old is now returning to the Potteries hoping to be passed fit to play against Leicester City on Saturday.

This game was a dead rubber and another booking would have seen Johansson banned for a World Cup qualifying playoff semifinal in March.

It gave former Stoke midfielder Graham Potter, the new Sweden manager, the chance to hand only a second cap to Derby County’s Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.