Fabregas, Xavi among five Spanish to miss Bosnia match

Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Xavi are among five Spanish internationals who will miss their final World Cup qualifier against Bosnia on Wednesday.

Fabregas has opted out for personal reasons while Xavi is among three players to have picked up injury niggles.

Fenerbahce striker Dani Guiza was injured on Friday while Sevilla central defender Carlos Marchena picked up an injury during Spain’s 2-1 defeat of group opponents Armenia on Saturday. Xavi also picked up a knee knjury in that game.

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol’s yellow card tally is reaching dangerous levels and so he has been rested while Fabregas is out for “serious” family reasons, according to the Spanish football federation.

Spain are the current European champions and have already secured automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.