Chelsea's Diego Costa out of Spain squad for Ukraine and Netherlands games
Diego Costa will miss Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Ukraine on Friday and the friendly with Netherlands four days later due to a hamstring injury picked up at the weekend.
The striker scored in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Hull on Sunday but was forced to leave the field after 75 minutes with the recurrence of an injury he sustained earlier this season.
Costa reported for international duty on Monday but tests conducted in Madrid confirmed the Brazil-born striker’s injury, according to the Spanish Football Federation.
"Diego Costa will return to Chelsea where he will undergo the corresponding medical treatment," a statement on Spain’s official website read.
Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque has already brought Juanmi into his squad as cover, with the 21-year-old Malaga forward winning his first call-up after representing his country at youth level.
Spain are second in Group C with nine points from their opening four matches after suffering a 2-1 defeat to group leaders Slovakia last October.
The friendly against Netherlands in Amsterdam on March 31 will be the first time the teams will meet since the Dutch crushed Spain 5-1 in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.