Wolves forward pulls out of national team squad

The 25-year-old suffered the injury two days before the club's draw with Everton, but he still started that game and came off in the 74th minute.

Larsen then kept his place against Southampton at the weekend, where he scored a game-winning brace to take his tally to nine Premier League goals for the season.

In both games, Larsen's left hand and wrist was heavily bandaged.

Now, the forward has pulled out of Norway's matches against Moldova and Israel so that he does not further aggravate the injury.

In a statement released by the national team, doctor Ola Sand said: "X-rays have shown a fracture in Jorgen's hand. The injury needs rest, and that means he will unfortunately not be ready for the international matches."

Malmo striker Erik Botheim has replaced Larsen in the squad and joined up with the national team in Marbella, before they head to Moldova.

Larsen - who signed for Wolves on loan from Celta Vigo in the summer and will become a permanently signing at the end of the season - impressed against the Saints with a first half headed goal followed by a clinical second strike.

But the Norwegian struggled against the Toffees as he lost the physical battle against their centre-backs.

In the build-up to the Southampton game, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was keen to defend Larsen and explain the pain he has been feeling in his hand.

"I must say something to defend Larsen," the head coach said.

"Two days before the match he broke his hand - a bone in his hand. He played with protection.

"For a striker, if you don't have your hands to play, it's a big problem.

"We played with him and he tried his best.

"Now, he's better because he doesn't feel too much pain. 

"In the game he felt the pain and his focus was on the fracture, not (the game).

"If the ball comes to him and he needs to hold it up he needs to protect the ball and he wasn't able to do it.

"For a striker that's a big problem.

"He's been training with the protection and doesn't feel the pain, so now he can help us.

"But we cannot crucify the player because he tried to help with this problem."