Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will be counting on Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas to help his country qualify for Euro 2016 despite their absence for upcoming games.
Both players have excelled since joining Chelsea this summer but neither is fully fit and unable to help in Saturday’s qualifier against Belarus and the friendly at home to Germany three days later.
Unlike Costa, Fabregas, who has scored two goals and set up another 11 in 15 appearances for Chelsea, was included in Del Bosque’s squad.
However, the 27-year-old midfielder was ruled out with a hamstring problem after undergoing a check-up in Madrid earlier this week.
“We had to wait a few days to evaluate Cesc’s injury and we opted for him not to continue with us,” Del Bosque said to Spanish radio station Onda Cero. “At times we have been flexible but not in this case.
“His muscle seems all right but he complains and he is the best doctor.
“I prefer to be deceived but I cannot be distrustful.
“When a player of his calibre tells you that he is injured, you have to believe him.”
Costa was left out of Del Bosque’s latest selection in order to rest.
The Brazilian-born striker missed four matches for Chelsea through injury after scoring his first goal for Spain in last month’s 4-0 triumph over Luxembourg.
“In our previous training camp, he (Costa) complained about pain in his pelvic bone,” Del Bosque said. “I thought it was best for him to take a break.
“It’s not a sign of weakness, I don’t want to confront anyone.
“When I gave my 23-man squad, I knew that he (Costa) was going to play with his club at the weekend.
“But we cannot push someone when they don’t feel completely well.
“He is the first one that has asked us to please not forget him when I make my next squad selection in February.”
Costa, who has scored 10 goals in nine Premier League appearances for Chelsea so far, is eager to shine for Spain.
The former Atletico Madrid star became a naturalised player earlier this year and has found the back of the net just once in seven appearances for La Roja since.
However, Del Bosque is confident Costa will have a starring role for the national team despite his slow start.
“For whatever reason, he (Costa) has not been 100 per cent with us,” he said. “However, we cannot say that he has not given all of his enthusiasm, he has always had a desire to play.
“We haven’t been lucky, he has been a slave of our lack of play.
“Had we not opted to select him (naturalise him), now we would have thrown our hands in the air.
“Seeing how Costa moves, the spaces he finds, this cannot be bad for any team.
“Perhaps he is not as technical but not all forwards need to be in order to score goals.”
Defending European champions Spain head into Friday’s home match against Belarus in second place in Group C with six points from three games. They are three points adrift of leaders Slovakia.
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Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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Background: Chemical Weapons
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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