FIS Cross-Country World Cup sprint leader Jonna Sundling will miss the next event in Dresden ©Getty Images

International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup sprint leader Jonna Sundling is set to miss out this weekend's event in Dresden with a cold. 

The Swede struggled at the Tour de Ski earlier in the month and will now miss the next World Cup event with illness. 

Her compatriot Stina Nilsson will also be absent through injury, leaving the Swedish team somewhat depleted. 

Linn Svahn and Maja Dahlqvist will be their greatest hopes of a medal. 

Sundling currently tops the women's sprint standings with 238 points, followed by Maiken Caspersen Falla of Norway on 202 and Ana Marija Lampič of Slovenia on 195. 

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway is considered the favourite in the men's competition ©Getty Images
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway is considered the favourite in the men's competition ©Getty Images

In the men's competition, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway currently leads the sprint standings with 250 points. 

He will be aiming to continue to hold off Lucas Chanavat of France and Federico Pellegrino of Italy, second and third in the leaderboard. 

Competition is due to start tomorrow with the men and women's finals at the Ski Arena, set against the backdrop of the the Dresden skyline. 

Action is taking place alongside the World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup, the first joint World Cup event between the FIS and World Para Nordic Skiing.