Ljungberg fights off injury to train with Swedish team

Arsenal's swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg celebrates scoring against Manchester City during their English Premiership soccer match at The City of Manchester Stadium, on May 4. Ljungberg fought off a foot injury to take part in his first training session with his country's World Cup squad.

Sweden and Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg fought off a foot injury to take part in his first training session with his country's World Cup squad, the Swedish Football Association said.

Ljungberg jogged during training with teammates in Stockholm, the Swedish FA said.

The midfielder was the only member of the Swedish team absent from two recent training sessions, as he underwent rehabilitation exercises on his injured right foot.

"My foot feels great," Ljungberg said after training. "Unfortunately I've been in the gym, which I hate," Ljungberg added.

Ljungberg will be available for Sweden's World Cup warm-up match against Chile this Friday, Sweden's coach Lars Lagerbaeck said.

"If all goes to plan, he will play. The rest (period) has been perfect for him," Lagerbaeck added.

The 29-year-old revealed last week that his battle against injury includes having blood drained from his foot after every match.

Ljungberg has been plagued by a string of injuries to his hip, calf, shoulder, rib, hand and toe since Sweden's second round defeat by Senegal at the 2002 World Cup.