Real Madrid defender, Sergio Ramos has been forced to pull of the Spain squad for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying matches away to Slovakia and Luxemburg with a calf injury.

Ramos had been substituted during the first half of Sunday' s league game against Athletic Club Bilbao as a result of the injury and after being checked by the medical staff at the headquarters of the Spanish Footballer Federation (RFEF), he was sent home with Spain coach, Vicente del Bosque calling up Barcelona stopper, Marc Bartra.

Although Ramos' absence should not be a major problem for Spain in what should be two relatively straightforward matches, his withdrawal once again highlights the lack of central defenders available to Del Bosque, who will probably play Gerard Pique alongside Raul Albiol on Thursday night in Slovakia.

Bartra made his Spain debut in November 2013 in a friendly game away to Ecuatorial Guinea, but is not a regular in the Barcelona first team and while Del Bosque picked Athletic Club Bilbao defender, Mikel San Jose in his previous squad, San Jose is not a regular choice for his club either.
(Xinhua)