© Reuters 2002

STOCKHOLM, March 8 (Reuters) - Sweden coach Lars Lagerback said on Thursday he will be studying Everton midfielder Jesper Blomqvist going into the World Cup.

"If he gets to play regularly and gets as good as he was before the injury, things will be interesting," Lagerback told Swedish daily Aftonbladet.

"We don't have that many left-footed players," he added. Blomqvist had said on Wednesday he was hoping to make the World Cup squad.

The 27-year-old has made a successful comeback into the English premier league since signing for Everton in November.

Blomqvist was out of action for a year and half during while at Manchester United because of injury. His last appearance for Sweden came in April 1999 in a 2-0 loss against Ireland.

Sweden, who are drawn with England, Argentina and Nigeria in the group phase of the World Cup, face Switzerland in a warm-up on March 27.

Lagerback was cautious regarding Blomqvist's possible participation in the international friendly. "We'll have to see about that game, but he is a player we're following," he said.