Juanfran right-back in if injury KOs Arbeloa

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Juanfran right-back in if injury KOs Arbeloa

SPAIN coach Vicente Del Bosque could be without first-choice right-back Alvaro Arbeloa for their opener against Italy on Sunday after he missed training yesterday.

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The Real Madrid defender was expected to start after a fine season but had to pull out of the world and European champions' first training session with a back problem.

Should the former Liverpool man not recover in time to face the Italians, Atletico Madrid's Juanfran could make only his second appearance on the right side of the defence.

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has recovered from his hamstring injury which kept him out of Sunday's 1-0 win over China.

Meanwhile, Italian striker Mario Balotelli should be fit to face the Spaniards, according to coach Cesare Prandelli.

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