Marchena drops out of Spain squad
 |  Marchena has been a regular in the center of Spain's defense |
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MADRID, Spain -- Valencia centre-back Carlos Marchena has been forced to withdraw from the Spain squad for Saturday's friendly against China and next week's Group Seven qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro because of injury.
The 25-year-old, who has been suffering from a groin strain in his left leg, left the team's training base in Las Rozas near Madrid on Wednesday.
A Spanish federation spokeswoman said that no one had been called up to replace Marchena.
He has been a regular first choice in the centre of defense for Spain.
Skipper Raul also missed training on Wednesday and is unlikely to play in the China friendly because of bruising on his left instep.
But national team doctor Genaro Borras was optimistic about the prospects for Deportivo Coruna midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron, who was unable to finish Tuesday's evening training session because of stomach problems.
"He has not recovered completely, but he should be ready for the match," he said. "He no longer has any fever, although he has still got a few pains in the stomach."
Spain play China in Salamanca on March 26, and then take on group leaders Serbia & Montenegro in a World Cup qualifier in Belgrade on March 30.
Montella pulls out
Roma striker Vincenzo Montella on Wednesday pulled out of the Italy squad for Saturday's 2006 World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Milan's San Siro stadium.
The 30-year-old forward has failed to recover from the bruised right ankle he suffered in Sunday's 2-0 Serie A defeat at home to AC Milan.
Montella, the leading scorer in Italy's Serie A with 19 goals, is the second player to be sidelined following the withdrawal of Alessandro Nesta on Tuesday.
The AC Milan defender is still feeling the effects of the right ankle injury he picked up against Sampdoria on March 13.
Francesco Totti sat out practice for the second straight day with a foot injury.
The AS Roma playmaker reopened an old wound on the bottom of his right foot on Tuesday.
Italy are top of Group Five with nine points from their four matches played, while Scotland have taken just two points from their three matches.
