Hector Bellerin took part in training with the Spanish Under-21 side today as fears over a potential injury he suffered on international duty subside.
The Arsenal full-back was on the receiving end of a tough tackle in a 3-0 win for the Spanish youth side over San Marino and it had been reported in his home country that he would require tests on the injury.
Standard Sport understands that any such injury is sufficiently minor that he was able to join the rest of Albert Celades’ squad in training this morning and could be considered for Monday’s match against Estonia in Pontevedra.
Arsenal, who face Swansea next Saturday, may not be too eager for Bellerin to be risked; such is his importance in Arsene Wenger’s side. Indeed the Gunners find themselves rather light on alternatives for their first-choice right back, with Carl Jenkinson still on the road to recovery after suffering a cruciate ligament injury whilst on loan to West Ham last season.
Mathieu Debuchy remains at Arsenal but the Frenchman’s standing at the Emirates seems rather low – the decision to deploy young right winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles at full-back for a Capital One Cup tie rather than the 31-year-old seemed to speak volumes.
Bellerin made his debut for the Spanish national team earlier in the summer and was a late call-up to Vicente del Bosque’s Euro 2016 squad. However new manager Julen Lopetegui is yet to call on the Arsenal full-back, preferring Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto.
Meanwhile Bellerin’s Arsenal team-mate Nacho Monreal has been added to the squad after an injury to Jordi Alba. The 30-year-old last played for Spain nearly three years ago in an World Cup qualifier against Belarus.
