Spanish starting right back Daniel Cravajal is set to miss the opening two games in this Years World Cup in Russia.
The Real Madrid ace suffered a hamstring strain during his side’s 3-1 Champions League final win over Liverpool at the end of last month but joined up with Lopetegui’s World Cup squad to continue his rehabilitation. Featuring in Spain’s much-anticipated tournament opener against Portugal in Sochi next Friday appears unlikely but Lopetegui is satisfied with the 26-year-old’s progress.
Speaking ahead of Spain’s warm-up match against Tunisia on Saturday, Lopetegui said, “You have to hold him back slightly, but I’m sure he’ll be ready. You want him to take two steps forward instead of just one before suffering a setback. I don’t know if he’ll be ready for the first or second match, but he’ll be fine.”
Sergio Busquets, a veteran of Spain’s triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign, missed last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland due to a bout of illness. However, Lopetegui expects the Barcelona midfielder to be available to feature in the friendly in Krasnodar.