European Qualifiers: Spain drop Diego Costa over injury concerns

Vicente Del Bosque

Diego Costa has been left out of Spain's squad for their upcoming fixtures with Belarus and Germany as a precaution.

The Chelsea striker has struggled with a groin injury which saw him miss four games after returning from international duty last month.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said: "Our doctors have been in contact with Chelsea's doctors and they have agreed it would be best for him to rest."

Diego Costa

"Costa has some annoyances. He is the first who is willing to be with us but our idea is that all 23 players come to be useful."

Costa returned to the Chelsea team in midweek after his injury problems which sparked a row between Spain’s doctors and Jose Mourinho.

Last week, the Chelsea boss said he will not prevent Costa being called up for Spain's games but hinted he wants his country to take care of him.

"The only thing I can say is what everybody knows, which is that at the time he was having problems in Chelsea and the way we managed him, we kept him playing."

“But after the national team we lost him for four matches in three different competitions. Now he's again available, but he needs obviously to be again under special care."

“I am always supportive of players playing for their countries when the players are in condition to do it, and when the players in the national team follow the same procedures to help them recover from the problems they have."

Meanwhile, Costa's Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas is included in the squad along with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla.

Spain face Belarus next Saturday in a European Qualifier before a friendly with Germany three days later. ...SkySports