Spain training for World Cup with 24 players

Las Rozas (Spain), May 29 (IANS) The Spanish national soccer team began training for the World Cup in Russia with 24 players, but without Dani Carvajal, who is beginning his recovery from a muscle injury.

Coach Julen Lopetegui had 24 players on the pitch on Monday, including the seven called up to finish out the training sessions - I?aki Williams, Unai Nu?ez, Yeray Alvarez, Mikel Oyarzabal, Jesus Vallejo, Carlos Soler and Rodrigo Hernandez - for a 90-minute workout fully open to the public, reports Efe.

After the warmup and a ball handling exercise, the coach set up a match with eight-man teams and with one side comprised of Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Saul ?iguez, Andres Iniesta, Iago Aspas and Diego Costa

That three-quarter squad faced off against Cesar Azpilicueta, Yeray Alvarez, Nacho Monreal, Koke Resurreccion, Thiago Alcantara, Carlos Soler, Rodrigo Moreno and David Silva.

Rodri Hernandez, Jesus Vallejo, I?aki Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal and Unai Nu?ez were held out as wildcards, although later Lopetegui made changes as the training session progressed.

The Spanish team will resume its preparations on Tuesday with another training session at Soccer City.

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