Euro 2016: Defender Sergio Ramos out of Spain qualifiers

Madrid: Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos has pulled out of Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifiers later this week due to a shoulder injury, the national team said on Tuesday.

“Sergio Ramos is out of the squad due to shoulder pain and will be replaced by his [Real] teammate Nacho [Ignacio Fernandez],” the Spanish said on their website.

Group C leaders Spain are set to host Luxembourg on Friday before travelling to Ukraine three days later.

A win in the first or draw in the second would be enough to ensure their passage to the finals in France, although they are already guaranteed at least a play-off spot.

Ramos’s absence is another blow to Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, with full-back Dani Carvajal, centre-back Inigo Martinez and midfielder Bruno Soriano all having already pulled out through injury on Monday.

They have been replaced by Mario Gaspar, Xabier Etxeita and Mikel San Jose respectively.