Lamine Yamal injury: Spain expect winger to face England despite knee problem

Lamine Yamal will miss Spain’s Nations League game against Czechia on Thursday but is expected to be fit to face England in Madrid on Sunday, according to Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente.

The Lamine Yamal injury is minor inflammation in his right knee. Spain chose to rest him rather than risk him before the final group game, which is expected to decide top spot.

What De la Fuente said about Yamal

De la Fuente told EFE that Yamal could have played in Prague if needed.

“It was the right thing to do. He was surely willing to play, and if we had had an emergency, we would have decided to start him. But it wasn’t worth taking any risk.”

The Spanish federation said on Monday that Yamal would stay in Catalonia rather than report to Las Rozas, with its doctors in daily contact with Barcelona’s medical staff.

When will Yamal join the Spain squad?

De la Fuente expects him to arrive late on Thursday, after the game in Prague, or on Friday morning. That would give him two training sessions before England.

Yamal has been in outstanding form, starting all 20 of his games for club and country this season with 17 goals and 13 assists, according to Sportskeeda. Spain are also without Mikel Oyarzabal for this window.

What it means for England

Thomas Tuchel’s side host Croatia at Wembley on Thursday before travelling to Madrid. A fit Yamal means England will almost certainly face Spain’s most dangerous player at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Tuchel has defensive questions of his own. James Hill earned a first call-up on Tuesday after Ezri Konsa was ruled out of the Croatia game, and Dan Burn was called up after Marc Guehi withdrew. Our England vs Croatia TV guide has the details for Thursday.

Lamine Yamal injury: FAQs

What is Lamine Yamal’s injury? Minor inflammation in his right knee, according to De la Fuente.

Will Lamine Yamal play against England? De la Fuente expects him to be available for Spain vs England on Sunday 15 November.

Is Yamal playing against Czechia? No. He will miss Thursday’s game in Prague.

When is Spain vs England? Sunday 15 November at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, kick-off 7.45pm GMT.