Madrid - For years, Spain had struggled to be recognized as more than just a middle-ranking European power - as a "relevant global player," as Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero puts it.

But just as Spain had got its foot in the door of the G20, participating in meetings drafting global economic policy, its international reputation took a big blow over its unexpected decision to recall its troops from Kosovo.

Madrid - Spain is sticking to its decision to pull its troops out of Kosovo despite international criticism, Defence Minister Carme Chacon said Monday.

Spain's 620 soldiers will be withdrawn from the NATO-led KFOR force gradually and in coordination with NATO, the minister said at the military base of Rota in southern Spain.

The decision had been taken by the "whole" government, Chacon said, following a report by the daily El Pais that Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos had not been consulted over the move.

Madrid  - Barcelona midfielders Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Yaya Toure will all probably be out of action for around two weeks, according to the digital versions of Sport and Mundo Deportivo on Sunday night.

All three picked up minor injuries in Barca's 6-0 thrashing of Malaga on Sunday, and will probably miss the upcoming international matches. They will all undergo further tests on Monday.

Ivory Coast midfielder Toure limped out of the game after 23 minutes, with a torn abductor muscle in his right leg.

Madrid  - Spain indicated Sunday it was willing to put on hold an announced pullout of troops from the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo after criticism from other alliance members.

Defence Minister Carme Chacon is to hold talks in the next few days with NATO Secrteary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, defence ministry sources said.

While Spain was sticking in principle to its planned withdrawal, there would be a "certain flexibility" about the timing, the sources said. Press reports said Sunday Madrid was considering keeping its troops in place for another year.

Madrid  - Striker Frederic Kanoute hit a handsome hat-trick on Saturday, in Sevilla's 4-1 thrashing of hapless Valladolid.

The comfortable win consolidates Sevilla in third place in La Liga, six points ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 earlier on Saturday.

Kanoute is in the best form of his career, at the ripe old age of 31. He started the rout after just eight minutes by turning in a centre from Koffi Romaric.

Henok Goitom made it 1-1 for Valladolid in the 22nd minute by heading in a free-kick from Fabian Canobbio.