Spain missing the goals of Morientes, says Reyes

MADRID, May 30: Forward Jose Antonio Reyes believes Spain could do with Fernando Morientes's eye for goal after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Russia in a World Cup warm-up.

''We miss him because he does well for us up front and scores lots of goals,'' Reyes told a news conference today.

Morientes, who has just agreed to move from Liverpool to Valencia, was left out of the World Cup squad after Luis Aragones opted to take only three strikers.

The 30-year-old struggled for form in England but has accumulated 26 goals in 43 international appearances.

''Morientes is a magnificent player but it is more positive to talk about the players who are here than about those that aren't,'' Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares said.

''The warm-up games are all about trying out different systems and players in different positions.

''We may have a young side but they have proven they should be here by winning things on the field of play.'' Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado appears to be recovering from his muscle strain and the squad are awaiting the outcome of tests on Asier del Horno's Achilles injury.

The Chelsea defender picked up the injury in training last week and national team doctor Genaro Borras was doubtful whether the player would recover in time for the World Cup.

Deportivo Coruna left back Joan Capdevila or Getafe's Argentine-born Mariano Pernia are the likely replacements.

Spain's next warm-up game is against African champions Egypt in Elche on June 3. They face fellow World Cup qualifiers Croatia in their final friendly in Geneva before playing Ukraine in their opening encounter in Group H on June 14.

Spain's other opponents in the group are Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.

REUTERS