Bendtner faces Denmark snub

Denmark coach Morten Olsen admits he will be forced to leave Nicklas Bendtner out of his plans unless the striker is playing regularly for Arsenal.

Striker Bendtner, 22, has played just 74 minutes in the Barclays Premier League this season, and has revealed his frustration with life on the fringes of Arsene Wenger's team.

Injuries kept him sidelined until October, but the form of team-mates has restricted him to substitute appearances in the top-flight, ahead of tonight's match at Manchester United.

Olsen told Sky Sports News: "Thinking with the eyes of the Danish national team, you have to have minutes and you have to have enough games, and if he's not playing in Arsenal we cannot use him of course.

"So it's important not only for Nicklas Bendtner but for all the players that they are playing."

England have confirmed a friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen for February 9, when Bendtner will hope to be involved.

Olsen added: "Bendtner has not been 100% fit for a year.

"We saw also in the World Cup he was not 100%.

"And he has not played in the autumn, he has not played many minutes for Arsenal.

"We hope he will come back and show the talent he is."

Olsen declined to suggest Bendtner should consider a move away from the Emirates Stadium, explaining: "It's very difficult for me to say. It's a question of playing enough games."