Spain’s Morata suffers swollen ankle before World Cup

Atletico Madrid said Alvaro Morata suffered a swollen ankle in Saturday’s 3-2 La-Liga defeat at Cadiz, leaving the Spain striker just three weeks to recover before the World Cup in Qatar.

Alvaro Morata reacts after sustaining an injury. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Atletico Madrid said Alvaro Morata suffered a swollen ankle in Saturday’s 3-2 La-Liga defeat at Cadiz, leaving the Spain striker just three weeks to recover before the World Cup in Qatar.

Morata is Spain’s main striker and has scored 27 goals in 57 appearances for the 2010 world champions.

“Alvaro Morata is suffering from soft tissue oedema in his ankle, according to medical tests he underwent on Sunday morning,” Atletico said in a statement on Sunday.

“The Spanish international striker was substituted after just 10 minutes in Saturday’s game in Cadiz and the evolution of his discomfort will condition his return to the squad.”

Spain, who is in Group E at the World Cup with Germany, Costa Rica and Japan, have yet to announce their final squad for the tournament. Spain begins its group campaign on November 23 against Costa Rica.