Neestrup looks towards Elfsborg and Brøndby

F.C. Copenhagen take on Elfsborg and Brøndby in two of their three friendly games during this winter's Portugal training camp.

And for FCK head coach Jacob Neestrup, the games are crucial to get his players up to speed ahead of the return of the Superliga and Champions League this spring.

"These will be matches against two opponents with different structures, where we can, among other things, work on our variations, both in the way we press and how we build in the game," said Neestrup after training on Saturday.

“It is clear that the closer we get to the return of the season, the more important it is to start well and remain in pole position.

"We have these two games and then the Molde game on Thursday for the final touches before we enter an exciting spring.

"We have not yet decided how we will line up in the two games, because we will, among other things, evaluate later today how far Clem and Birger are after they have been out for such a long time.

"There are probably many fans who are looking forward to seeing our new players like Scott, Magnus and Alex, and all three of them will play over the two matches."

Two U19 players arrive
The training squad will also have U19 players Hjalte Bidstrup and Aksel Halsgaard added for Sunday's game. The U19s lost 2-1 to 1st Division side Nykøbing FC's in a friendly at No.10 over the weekend.

The pair will travel home again on Tuesday with the other youngsters who are in Portugal, and continue with the U19 team's preparations, as there is no need for such a wide squad for the last game against Molde on Thursday.

Meanwhile, young talents Oliver Højer, Roberto Risnæs, Jonathan Moalem and Tobias Breum-Harild have been selected for the Denmark U17's trip to Pinatar, Spain from 13-18 February, where they face Switzerland and Ireland.