INJURY-PRONE Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta is still suffering from a knock sustained against Switzerland and is a doubt for tonight’s game against Honduras (7.30pm), coach Vicente del Bosque said. Iniesta has struggled with a string of muscle injuries this season and was substituted in the second half of the shock 1-0 defeat to the Swiss after a crunching challenge. Del Bosque said he was the only one of the 23-strong squad not at 100 per cent.
We have all the players available except Andres Iniesta who is not fully fit,” Del Bosque told a news conference at Ellis Park Stadium where the Group H match will be played. “He has a sore spot, but if he had to play he could and we have time tomorrow to decide.”
Del Bosque gave little away about his planned starting formation, saying only he was not about to make sweeping changes to a playing style that had served Spain well in the past and helped them win all 10 of their qualifiers.
The former Real Madrid coach was criticised after the Swiss game for fielding a cautious 4-5-1 starting 11 and may deploy a more attacking 4-4-2 formation with Fernando Torres joining strike partner David Villa up front.
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas was on the bench against the Swiss and his vision and eye for goal could be the key to overcoming a Honduras side expected to defend and look to counter. “Perhaps we have to be more decisive in the final phase of attacks,” Del Bosque said. “But every day we are seeing more evidence of how evenly matched the teams are at this World Cup. No team will give you space and it’s hard to exert superiority over any opponent.”
Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas suffered a muscle strain on Friday but isexpected to be available, while coach Reinaldo Rueda will continue to assess the fitness of striker David Suazo who is battling back from a leg injury.