Spain striker Morata suffers bruised thigh muscle

Madrid, Sep 3 (IANS) Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who was injured in the Spain-Belgium friendly on Thursday night, is suffering from a bruised thigh muscle, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed.

Morata had to leave the pitch after 22 minutes of the first half of the game which Spain won 2-0. The 23-year-old returned with the rest of the Spanish squad on Friday and underwent an MRI, which confirmed he has bruised the muscle in his thigh, reports Efe.

"He had a knock and he worried that he could have a muscular problem," Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said. "Fortunately that was not the case and we only replaced him as a precaution."

According to the RFEF statement, Morata's activity with Spain is pending the improvement of his injury.

Spain will face Liechtenstein in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Monday.