22.03.2016 20:58 h

Injured Busquets to miss Spain friendlies

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets on Tuesday withdrew from the Spain squad for upcoming friendlies against Italy and Romania with a hand injury.

The 27-year-old had played wearing a cast in his past two matches for Barcelona, with his departure from the Spain squad announced on the national team's official website.

"Two weeks ago, Sergio Busquets suffered a fracture and dislocation to a finger on his right hand," said the head of Spain's medical staff, Oscar Luis Celada, in a video post.

"We were aware of the injury and given the tests recently carried out and taking into account that they're two friendlies, we think pulling (him) out of the team camp maximises any chance of preventing a relapse," the doctor added.

Busquets didn't train with the rest of the team on Monday and will not be replaced in the squad by Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque.

The two-time defending European champions face Italy in Udine on Thursday before travelling to Cluj to play Romania on Sunday as they step up preparations for Euro 2016 in France.