Spain head coach Julen Lopetegui believes Dani Carvajal will play a part in the World Cup – but the Real Madrid right-back may miss the opening two matches in Group B.
Carvajal suffered a hamstring strain during Madrid’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.
“You have to hold him back slightly, but I’m sure he’ll be ready,” the former Porto boss told a news conference ahead of La Roja’s final warm-up match against Tunisia on Saturday.
“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.”