Injured Xavi pulls out of Spain squad

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has withdrawn from the Spain squad to play Uruguay this week because of a hamstring problem, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Monday.

The 33-year-old playmaker, who could have earned his 120th cap against the South American champions in Doha on Wednesday, had been examined by RFEF medical staff after Barca's 1-1 La Liga draw at Valencia on Sunday, the federation said on their Twitter feed.

The world and European champions have already lost Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso because of a groin injury sustained in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Granada.

Alonso was replaced in the squad by Atletico Madrid's Mario Suarez, a 25-year-old former youth international with his first call up. The federation did not say if anyone would be brought in to replace Xavi.