TEEMU PUKKI is facing a race against time to be fit for the Euros.
The Norwich star, 31, sustained ankle ligament damage in Saturday’s title-winning win over Reading.
It has left Finland sweating on their talisman ahead of their first-ever major tournament this summer.
Yet Finn head coach Markku Kanerva moved to allay fears Pukki, who has hit 30 goals in 90 caps for his country, could miss out.
Kanerva said: “We believe Teemu is fit to play at the European Championships.
“The treatment programme and recovery have already started.
“Everyone is aiming for Teemu Pukki to be in full working order when the European Championships start.”
Pukki has taken his Norwich goals tally to 66 in 120 league games with 26 this season to fire the Canaries back into the Premier League.
He will play no part at Barnsley on Saturday but is still set to join up with his nation at the end of this month.
Finland are in Group B at the rearranged Euro 2020 with No1 country Belgium as well as Denmark and Russia.
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Kanerva’s side are 54th in the world rankings but will be hopeful Pukki’s goals can fire the Scandanevian nation into the knockout stages.
Their opening match is in Copenhagen before two in St Petersburg.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
