Ramos pulls out of Spain squad

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was forced to pull out of the Spain squad for the European Championship qualifiers away to Slovakia Oct 9 and Luxemburg Oct 12 because of a calf injury.

Ramos was substituted during the first half of Sunday's 5-0 win against Athletic Club Bilbao as a result of the injury. He was checked by the medical staff at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and was sent home, reports Xinhua.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque called up Barcelona stopper Marc Bartra as his replacement.

Although Ramos' absence should not be a major problem for Spain in what should be two relatively straightforward matches, his withdrawal once again highlights the lack of central defenders available to del Bosque, who will probably play Gerard Pique alongside Raul Albiol Thursday night in Slovakia.

Bartra made his Spain debut in November 2013 in a friendly game away to Equatorial Guinea but is not a regular in the Barcelona first team. Del Bosque picked Athletic Club Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose in his previous squad but he is not a regular choice for his club either.