Spain's Xavi to miss Italy friendly with injury

MADRID (AP)—Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez will miss Spain’s friendly away to Italy on Wednesday due to a leg injury.

The Spanish football federation, which did not name a replacement, announced Monday that the 31-year-old World Cup winner is hampered by pain in a right leg muscle.

The injury also puts into doubt Xavi’s presence in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup at Real Madrid this Sunday.

Barcelona said that its playmaker will undergo rehabilitation and “his progress will determine his availability for the coming games.”

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos had earlier been dropped from Spain’s squad with an injured back. He was replaced by Malaga’s Nacho Monreal.

Spain plays Liechtenstein on Sept. 6 in a Euro 2012 qualifier. Vicente del Bosque’s team is currently top of Group I, six points clear after five games.