Injury problems for Spain ahead of Confederations Cup

MADRID - The Spanish national football team has been hit by various injury problems ahead of the upcoming Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Barcelona’s in-form defender Gerard Pique Saturday tore the abductor muscle in his left leg, in the 1-1 draw away to Deportivo Coruna which finished Barca’s historic season.

Pique, 22, will be out of action for around two weeks, but still hopes to make the trip to South Africa.

Spain, who are participating in the tournament as European champions, will make their debut June 14 against New Zealand. National manager Vicente del Bosque will name his squad Monday.

Andres Iniesta, Pique’s Barcelona team-mate, is also doubtful after tearing a muscle at the back of his right thigh in Wednesday’s Champions League triumph over Manchester United.

Iniesta, 25, is about to be chosen the player of the year in Spain.

Villarreal veteran Marcos Senna Saturday told the media that “it is unlikely that I will be ready” for the Confederations Cup.

The Brazil-born midfield anchorman, aged 32, tore a muscle in his left thigh in April.

Valencia’s David Silva, 23, is another injury doubt. He has missed the last three weeks of the season after spraining his right ankle.

The good news for Del Bosque, however, is that winger Santi Cazorla might be fit in time.

Cazorla, 24, broke his right leg playing for Villarreal against Almeria in April. However, he has recovered more quickly than expected, and will be available for the South African trip.