The Spain coach says the Barcelona winger's knee is improving and expects him with the squad on Friday, ahead of the England match.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has defended Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal against suggestions that he is being treated better than other players. Yamal did not travel for Spain's Nations League game against the Czechia on Thursday because of a knee issue, but he is expected to be available for the match against England on Sunday.
De la Fuente said he was upset by reports suggesting Yamal was being treated differently from other players. Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "Our medical staff assessed him, and I decided that, to avoid the trip, it would be better for him to stay home for treatment with his club."
On the claims that Yamal was being favoured, De la Fuente said Wednesday:
"Lamine doesn't have any special privileges. We would have done this for any other player."
In Prague, where Spain face the Czech Republic, De la Fuente gave more detail on the knee. He said Yamal had discomfort in one knee, that fluid and inflammation were found there after his usual treatment, and that the decision was taken with the medical staff. The plan was for him to stay at home, train with his club and join the squad on Friday.
Goal reports that Yamal has carried the problem since Barcelona's last Champions League match against Aston Villa on the 3rd, which left a slight inflammation that kept him at the club and delayed his arrival at the camp in Las Rozas. ESPN reports that the Spanish federation said on Monday that Yamal reported discomfort in his right knee after Barcelona's 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league, and Goal does not mention the knee.
De la Fuente said the recovery was being monitored and that he had spoken with the player on Tuesday and Wednesday. "The recovery is going well, and we believe he will be with us on Friday," he said. Goal reports that De la Fuente expects Yamal to join the camp on Thursday evening or Friday morning, which would give him two training sessions before the England game. Goal also quotes the coach on the decision: "We thought first of his health, then of our desire to have him in the best possible condition during next Sunday's clash."
Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal is also expected to join late. Goal reports, citing De la Fuente, that Oyarzabal is still recovering from influenza and awaiting the birth of his second child. "We have to wait until the last moment," De la Fuente said.
Spain, the defending world champions, have already qualified for the quarterfinals. They lead their Nations League group with 12 points from four matches, three more than second-placed England.
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