Spain lose Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal for Nations League trip

Spain will be without Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal for Thursday’s Nations League match against the Czech Republic after the pair were ruled out because of injury and illness.

Yamal, the Barcelona winger, reported discomfort in his right knee after Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga win over Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said the teenager had “reported discomfort in his right knee”. Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal, meanwhile, “is in the final phase of a bout of flu”.

Both players could still return for Spain’s final Nations League fixture against England on Sunday at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

“Both players will join the training camp in the coming days so they can be available to face England,” the RFEF said.

World champions Spain have already secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. They travel to face the Czech Republic on Thursday before hosting England in Madrid three days later.

Spain will therefore begin the preparation for their meeting with the Czech Republic without two important attacking options, while hoping Yamal and Oyarzabal can recover in time for the visit of England.