Del Bosque calls up Valencia's Mata to replace injured Iniesta

Del Bosque calls up Valencia's Mata to replace injured Iniesta Madrid - Valencia striker Juan Mata was called up Tuesday to replace the injured Andres Iniesta in Spain's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Turkey.

Iniesta will be out of action for around two weeks after pulling a muscle in his right thigh in Barcelona's 6-0 thrashing of Malaga on Sunday.

He is hoping to be fit for Barca's Champions League quarter-final first leg clash against Bayern Munich on April 8.

Mata, 20, was called up by national manager Vicente del Bosque for the first time in February for the friendly against Chile, but stayed on the bench throughout the game.

He was instrumental in Valencia winning the King's Cup last season, and has scored seven goals this term, including the one on Sunday which gave "Los Ches" a tight 1-0 win in Santander.

Euro 2008 heroes Xavi, David Villa and David Silva also have muscle problems but should all be fit for Saturday's home game against Turkey in Real Madrid's Estadio Bernabeu.

Spain then travel to Istanbul for a return game the following Wednesday. (dpa)

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