Luis De la Fuente says Lamine Yamal should be ready for World Cup opener | OneFootball

Luis De la Fuente offered a positive update on Lamine Yamal’s recovery. He said the winger should be available for Spain’s World Cup opener, though selection is not guaranteed.

On the eve of Thursday’s friendly against Iraq in La Corogne, the Spain coach said Yamal should be ready for 15 June against Cape Verde if progress continues. According to L'Équipe, he added the staff will assess at the right time and readiness would not oblige them to play him.

Yamal sustained a hamstring problem with Barcelona on 22 April and had been a major doubt for the opener. The Spain international has 25 caps and 6 goals, and has taken part in part of training in recent days.

Neither Yamal nor Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) nor Mikel Merino (Arsenal) will feature against Iraq. De la Fuente said the condition of players who arrived injured is evolving as expected.

Spain open against Cape Verde on 15 June in Atlanta, then face Saudi Arabia on 21 June at the same venue. They then head to Guadalajara, Mexico, to meet Uruguay on 27 June.

Source: L'Équipe