Alba a doubt for French clash, Xavi back training

23 March 2013 17:47

Spain left-back Jordi Alba is struggling with a right hamstring problem which could affect his chances of playing in the world champions' crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier with France on Tuesday, but Xavi Hernandez is back in training.

The 24-year-old Barcelona star Alba felt the problem nine minutes from time in Spain's surprise 1-1 home draw with Finland on Friday but had to stay on until the final whistle as coach Vicente Del Bosque had used all his substitutes.

"He will undergo scans so we can diagnose the problem," the Spanish Football Federation said in a statement, with Barcelona saying that the player will return to the club for treatment on Sunday.

Meanwhile, playmaker Xavi trained on Saturday after missing the Finland clash with an injured right hamstring.

The Spanish Federation did however add that the 33-year-old's fitness will continue to be monitored.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso was also back on the training field after sitting out Friday's game in Gijon.

France - who beat Georgia 3-1 on Friday - top the group with a two-point lead over Spain heading into Tuesday's match in Paris.

Source: AFP