Sandra Näslund with a World Cup gold from 2017 on the merit list, and this year's star shot in the World Cup Alexandra Edebo is fighting against the clock to be able to complete the World Cup at home in Idre 11-13 February.

Näslund is still rehabilitating her knee injury that she sustained in training in November just before the start of the World Cup, while Edebo is recovering from a concussion after a crash in Val Thorens the days before Christmas last year.

- It's moving forward.

But it's hard to say if I have time to get started.

I hope to start, but it's tight on time, says Sandra Näslund to SVT Sport.

The 24-year-old, who won World Cup gold in 2017, has still not started practicing skiing again.

During the week, however, the plan is for her to start doing so, for the first time since the injury.

Missing the World Cup at home, on February 13, would be a big disappointment.

- It is clear that it would be boring, but all focus is on getting to the start and I will do everything to cope with it, says Näslund.

Next week will be crucial

Alexandra Edebo is also a bit in the same phase in the hunt to get ready to start for the WC.

- We went through her together with a physiotherapist yesterday (read Monday), and things are getting better and better.

There are some clear positive messages about how it develops.

But she still has a lot of problems with her neck, says the cross-country national team doctor Jakob Swanberg to SVT Sport.

Swanberg has close contact with the two skicross stars and his overall assessment is that everything will be decided next week - whether it will be the World Cup or not.

- We aim to start for both.

But if they are not much closer to competition-ready status next week, it will be very difficult to run the World Cup.

When it comes to Sandra, a lot is about her own pain level, and what load the knee can withstand.

She wants to perform at the top level, and then you have to weigh the pros and cons if it is worth it.

She will not run the WC to be tenth, says Jakob Swanberg.

SEE MORE: Fanny Smith historic - took 27th victory in World Cup (January 24, 2021)

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Fanny Smith historic - after the 27th victory Photo: Bildbyrån