Injury denies Arbeloa Spain chance

Álvaro Arbeloa has withdrawn from the Spain squad to face France next week due to a stomach muscle injury, denying the Liverpool FC defender of the chance to earn his first international cap.

Stomach injury
Arbeloa was one of three new players named in Luis Aragonés' squad for the friendly in Malaga on Wednesday but the 25-year-old has contacted the Spanish coach to inform him that he is unable to play. The former Real Madrid CF and RC Deportivo La Coruña player is a week away from fitness after suffering the injury in the Premier League draw against Aston Villa FC on 21 January.

'Excited'
"We spoke after he named his squad and we agreed that it was best to leave it for the following game. I hope he does call me again because I'm really excited about that now," said Arbeloa. "Being in his squad came as a surprise because I didn't expect this at all, but I'm very happy to be part of Aragonés' plans," he added. Arbeloa will hope to forge his way into the Spain squad for UEFA EURO 2008™ where they are in Group D alongside Russia, Sweden and Greece.