Injury problems for Del Bosque ahead of international games

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will be without two key players for his side's forthcoming international friendly matches against England and Belgium.

Atletico Madrid right back Juanfran Torres has been forced to withdraw from the squad as the result of a muscle injury he suffered during the first half of his side's 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Sunday night.

With Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal also injured, that means that Villarreal's Mario Gaspar, who scored in his debut against Lithuania a month ago, will almost certainly keep his place in the side.

Meanwhile Sergio Ramos looks certain to miss out as the result of a shoulder injury for the second time in succession.

Ramos was sidelined from Spain's last two games as the result of a dislocated shoulder and he had to leave the field after scoring the opening goal in Real Madrid's 3-2 defeat against Sevilla on Sunday after falling badly and aggravating the injury once again.

After suffering with the problem for the last month, it is unlikely Del Bosque will risk the Real Madrid captain for two friendly matches, especially with the 'Clasico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona just around the corner.

England meanwhile will travel to their friendly game in Alicante on Friday night without regular players such as James Milner, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge, all of whom miss the trip through injuries of one kind or another. Endi