Forren: I'm in good shape (From Daily Echo)

Forren: I'm in good shape

8:26am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Sport By Gordon Simpson, Senior Sports Reporter

VEGARD FORREN

Vegard Forren insists he is ready to start for Norway in tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Albania – despite having not played any first-team football in nearly four months.

The centre half moved to St Mary’s from Norwegian champions Molde in January, in a £3.5m deal, but is yet to feature for Saints, outside of a pair of under-21 matches.

He arrived at the club short of competitive action, with the domestic Norwegian league finishing in November and his last major outing having come in a Europa League tie in early December.

Forren has played for Saints under-21s, though, scoring on his debut in a recent draw against Liverpool under-21s.

Since joining Saints, he has been working on his fitness and conditioning, but the 25-year-old is still waiting for manager Mauricio Pochettino to use him.

That has not prevented Norway head coach Egil Olsen from picking him for the national team, though, and Forren has informed the ex-Wimbledon boss that he is fit and raring to go.

Forren, who insisted there was “no doubt” that he could be trusted to play tonight, told Norwegian media: “I feel in very good shape and I know that I will be ready when my chance comes along.

“I have trained very well for two months at a high level. I have played two under-21 matches, where I have shown that I am in good shape.

“It was good to get those two games to confirm that. You can’t start doubting yourself because you are not playing regularly.”

Forren added that he has been pleased with how he has settled into life at Saints and the city in general.

For now, though, his focus is on helping his country move a step closer to Brazil 2014.

Norway are second in Group E and will host third-place Albania in an important fixture tonight (kick-off 6pm UK time).

With leaders Switzerland visiting bottom side Cyprus tomorrow, the Norwegians know three points will likely be necessaryto keep in touch at the top of the standings.

Forren is battling with Celta Vigo’s Vadim Demidov and Rosenborg’s Tore Reginiussen for the right to partner Fulham’s Brede Hangeland.