Spain have been left sweating over the fitness of Andres Iniesta after he was forced off with a muscle injury during the European champions’ (4/1 to win the World Cup) 6-0 warm-up win over Poland.
The Barcelona playmaker has struggled with injuries for the majority of 2010, missing a large part of the Catalan giants run-in with a thigh injury
Spain (21/10 top European team) coach Vincent del Bosque claims Iniesta came off as a precautionary measure after feeling a slight twinge in his thigh.
The 26-year-old will have a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the problem with Del Bosque likely to be crossing his fingers it isn’t serious after Iniesta set up two of Spain’s six goals before he was forced off.
Iniesta is just the latest injury concern the Euro 2008 champions have had coming into the World Cup, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Xavi all carrying problems heading into their series of warm-up games.
However, La Furia fans will have been delighted to see Torres and Fabregas get on the score sheet during a vintage performance by the World Cup favourites.
David Villa (8/1f top goalscorer) got the opening goal in the rout after being played through by Iniesta before the Barcelona man set up David Silva for a second shortly afterwards.
Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso got Spain’s third with Fabregas and Torres getting the fourth and fifth respectively, Barcelona winger Pedro getting the sixth as the nation recorded their 11th straight victory.
Iniesta’s injury aside it was the perfect way for Spain to round off their build-up to the World Cup, especially given Torres’ comments after the game where he claimed he was now over his spat of injuries.
“The injury has passed and now I’m able to help my team-mates, so it’s time to enjoy it,” said Torres.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m sure there will be a lot of optimism and euphoria but we know it will be difficult.”
The Liverpool forward was making his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in April and it will be vital he stays fit if Del Bosque’s men are to challenge for the World Cup.
Fabregas’ return could also prove timely should Iniesta’s injury be serious, the Arsenal man having not played since he cracked a bone in his leg during the Gunners’ 2-2 with Barcelona in March.
Spain depart for South Africa on Thursday hoping for an easy ride through the group stages having been drawn alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.
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