Spain's midfielder Cesc Fabregas stretches during a training session. -Photo by AFP

GNIEWINO: Midfielder Cesc Fabregas has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring strain to be able to rejoin his Spanish team mates in training, the world and European champions said on Tuesday.    

The Barcelona playmaker sustained the injury in last month's King's Cup final but was able to take part in Spain's final session in Madrid before they fly out to their Euro 2012 training base in Gniewino, Poland later on Tuesday.

He should be available for the holders' opening Group C match against Italy in Gdansk on Sunday, although he is not guaranteed a starting spot in a squad with a host of hugely talented midfielders.

Alvaro Arbeloa, a regular at right back under coach Vicente del Bosque, has a minor neck injury and had to train apart from the rest of the squad, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said in a statement on their website.

If Arbeloa fails to recover in time for Sunday Del Bosque will likely deploy Juanfran, a recent addition to the roster who made his debut in a friendly against Serbia last month.

Winger Jesus Navas had to be taken for a precautionary scan on his right hand after receiving a blow but it showed he had not suffered any significant bone damage, the federation added.

Navas has mostly been used off the bench as an impact player and is unlikely to be in the starting lineup against Italy.

Fabregas and some of his team mates were back using Twitter on Monday after an initial ban on using social networking sites was lifted.

“Good news! Finally we are allowed to use social networks so we will be in contact during the Euro Cup,” Fabregas, one of Spain's most committed Tweeters, wrote on his feed.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...