Euro 2008

Villa trains on sidelines, but on course for Russia

14:21 BST, Fri 6 Jun 2008
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Spain's national soccer player David Villa lies on the pitch after injuring his knee during a training session in Santander June 3, 2008. Spain will play the U.S. in a friendly soccer match on Wednesday.  REUTERS/Nacho Cubero (SPAIN)  (EURO 2008 PREVIEW)

VIENNA, June 6 (Reuters) - Striker David Villa trained apart from the Spain squad on Friday but looks on course to make his side's Euro 2008 opener against Russia on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in 31 appearances for Spain, missed Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the United States because of a bruised thigh.

Second string forward Sergio Garcia, who has been suffering from a bruised calf, also worked out separately from his team mates at their training ground in the Austrian mountain resort of Neustift im Stubaital.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta trained normally after missing the United States game because of a stomach bug.

During the session, coach Luis Aragones ordered the removal of a television camera and microphone placed at one end of the training pitch.

Aragones had his comments to players picked up by television crews in the past and clearly wanted to avoid a repetition of similar incidents.

The 69-year-old hit the headlines in October 2004 when he was caught on camera making derogatory remarks about France striker Thierry Henry to his then Arsenal team mate Jose Antonio Reyes during a training session.

After the Russia match, Spain play Sweden and then holders Greece in their remaining games in Group D.

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MATCH CENTRE

29 Jun 19:45 Germany 0 - 1 Spain FT
26 Jun 19:45 Russia 0 - 3 Spain FT
25 Jun 19:45 Germany 3 - 2 Turkey FT
22 Jun 19:45 Spain 0 - 0 Italy FT
21 Jun 19:45 Netherlands 1 - 3 Russia FT
20 Jun 19:45 Croatia 1 - 1 Turkey FT
19 Jun 19:45 Portugal 2 - 3 Germany FT
18 Jun 19:45 Greece 1 - 2 Spain FT
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