Alvaro Arbeloa injury rules him out of international duty

Feb 2 2008

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa is hoping Spain coach Luis Aragones will give him another chance after injury ruled him out of a possible debut in next week’s friendly against France.

Arbeloa earned his first call yesterday in a 22-man squad, but the former Deportivo La Coruna man is unable to play against Les Bleus on Wednesday due to an abdominal injury that has kept him sidelined for almost two weeks.

Arbeloa told the Spanish media: “The coach called me after naming the squad, to see how I was and to know if I could make the game. But we have decided that as I will not be able to be 100% it was best to leave it.

“I hope I am selected for the next game because now I have the taste for it. I hope I’ll be lucky enough to play in the following match.”

The 25-year-old sustained his injury during Liverpool’s 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw against Aston Villa on January 21 and he admits he could be out of action for at least another week yet.

“It’s disappointing because we didn’t know how much time I would be out for,” he said.

“It is a shame because it has not gone as quickly as we had expected. I am still around a week away from returning.”

On being told about his inclusion in the Spain squad, Arbeloa added: “It took me a little bit by surprise because it was not something I was expecting, but I am very happy to know that I am in this list and satisfied to be chosen by the coach.

“The national team looked a little difficult and far off for me because I have never been called up.

“It was difficult to dream about being at the European Championships, but now, I hope to continue along this line and that I will be called up again.”