KEY POINTS

  • Spaniard picked up a heavy knock in his right ankle during 3-0 victory over San Marino
  • National team doctors say the injury is not serious
  • He has played little part in the last two training sessions.

Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is a doubt for Spain's Under-21 game against Estonia on Monday (10 October) after picking up a heavy knock in his right ankle during their 3-0 victory over San Marino, sources told IBTimesUK. But the national team doctors say it is only a minor injury and the player still hopes to make the Under-21 Euro 2017 qualifier.

Bellerin played the full 90 minutes of the Wednesday win over San Marino. However, he ended with pain in the right ankle after getting a heavy knock later in the game.

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The Arsenal full-back consequently missed training on Thursday before returning to work on Friday morning. However, the former Barcelona starlet bailed out of the session early on medical advice to avoid a setback.

Sources from the Spanish camp told IBTimesUK that Bellerin faces a race against time to be 100% ready for the qualifier. Yet he is keen to play as a Spanish victory will guarantee them a second-place finish in the group and a play-off berth. If the result between Sweden and Croatia goes their way, they will get an automatic ticket to the finals in Poland as group winners.

Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin faces a race against time to be fit to face Estonia. Getty

Spain Under-21 manager Albert Celades has decided to keep the Arsenal defender in the squad instead of calling up a replacement, unlike on the other side of the defence, where he has summoned Adrian Marin to replace Alex Grimaldo.

Bellerin's likely rapid recovery will be a relief for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, ahead of his team's match against Swansea City on 15 October. Even if Bellerin can't face Estonia, he should be recovered for the Swansea game.

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