Iniesta out for Spain’s WC opener

(GSM) – Spain are set to be without midfield playmaker Andres Iniesta for their World Cup opener against Switzerland on Wednesday.

The Barcelona star, who has just returned from injury, had to be brought off late, following his request, in the first half of Spain’s final warm-up game against Poland on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old looked back at his best, setting up the opening two goals for David Villa and David Silva, before coming off with a thigh problem.

The European champions ran out 6-0 winners but Iniesta is expected to be missing as they kick off their Group H campaign in Durban.

The Spanish Football Federation confirmed he would require an “uncertain period of recuperation” of around one week.

“The result of a scan shows up some bruising in the semi-membranous muscle of his right leg,” read a Federation statement.

Iniesta has suffered from a string of thigh problems over the past 12 months.

With the Swiss game a week away, he could be fit in time, but Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque is unlikely to risk him with the likes of Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso at his disposal.

However, striker Fernando Torres returned after two months out following knee surgery, scoring once as he came through unscathed as a second-half substitute.