Xavi is latest Spain call-off

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has dropped out of the Spain squad to play Italy in a friendly tomorrow after failing to recover from an injury to his right calf.

Xavi was deemed unfit by doctors when the squad assembled outside Madrid yesterday for the match in Bari and will return to his club for treatment.

He is the second player to withdraw from Vicente del Bosque's team after Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who has sustained a back injury.

The world and European champions called up Malaga's Nacho Monreal as a replacement for Ramos on Sunday but Del Bosque may decide to make do with the players he has to cover the absence in midfield.

The injuries to Xavi and Ramos put them in doubt for the curtain-raiser to the new La Liga season, the two-legged Spanish Super Cup which starts on Sunday between champions Barca and King's Cup winner Real.