Spain Battle Xavi Poser Before Finland Clash

[Folami David]

The main conundrum for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque ahead of Friday's World Cup Group I qualifier at home to minnows Finland is who to deploy in place of Xavi should the injured Barcelona playmaker be ruled out as expected.
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A vital cog in the Spanish machine that swept to triumphs at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, Xavi has been suffering from a niggling hamstring problem in recent weeks.
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With Tuesday's showdown against France in Paris looming, Del Bosque is unlikely to risk the 33-year- old against the Finns and will probably hand the job of dictating Spain's play to Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas or Santi Cazorla.
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"We are not going to say anything new here today about Xavi, we all know how important he is for Barcelona and the national team," midfielder Javi Garcia said at a news conference at Spain's training base outside Madrid on Wednesday.
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"We hope he recovers soon and if he has joined up with us it means he is fit enough to play and help us in at least one of the matches," the Manchester City player added.
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Spain and France, who drew 1-1 in Madrid in October, are level on seven points at the top of the group after three matches, with the world and European champions in first place thanks to a superior goal difference.
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The Finland game at Sporting Gijon's Molinon stadium, as well as France's match against second- placed Georgia at the Stade de France on Friday, are seen as mere appetisers for Tuesday's clash.
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However, Spain forward Juan Mata said it would be a mistake to underestimate Finland, bottom of the group on one point, and the players should focus fully on Friday's game.