Rosenberg stand by Nicklas Bendtner after striker handed jail sentence
Ex-Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has been told he still has a future with club and country after being sentenced to 50 days in jail for assaulting a taxi driver.
The Rosenborg and Denmark player has appealed against the sentence handed down in Copenhagen.
But his Norwegian club and the Danish Football Association (DBU) have said the incident will not affect the 30-year-old's future.
In a lengthy statement, Rosenborg said they had no comment on the sentence, saying it was a matter for the Danish legal system, but offered a defence of Bendtner's character and the role he has played at the club since joining in March last year.
"We defend Nicklas as a person, but not for the act he has been convicted of in this case..." the statement said.
"We take the matter seriously and understand that our response will be of great interest. This is a difficult case with many different perceptions of it. It is not easy to know the right reaction.
"In terms of Bendtner's availability for the match on Sunday, this will solely be determined by sporting factors."
Rosenborg, who sit five points clear at the top of the Eliteserien with 57 points from 27 matches, face mid-table Odd on Sunday.
The response from the DBU was similar, with director Peter Moller telling TV2 that national coach Age Hareide was free to call up Bendtner if he chose to.
"Now the sentence has been issued, it is up to Age Hareide to assess whether Nicklas Bendtner should play for the national team," Moller said.
Hareide suggested in September that a guilty verdict would likely end Bendtner's international career, but that stance appears to have softened in more recent interviews.
Bendtner has earned 81 caps for Denmark, scoring 30 goals.
He began his career at Arsenal and scored 45 goals in 171 games for the Gunners.
He also had spells on loan with Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus before joining Wolfsburg in 2014.
Bendtner returned to English football with Nottingham Forest in 2016 but did not see out a full season before moving to Rosenborg.