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Diego Costa ruled out of World Cup qualifier against Macedonia as Spain striker fails to shake off groin injury

Chelsea face a nervous wait over Diego Costa after the Premier League's top scorer pulled out of Spain duty with a troublesome groin problem.

The in-form centre forward will return to London for further assessment — missing games against Macedonia and England at Wembley for his country.

Costa had been visibly limping as he missed the first two days of Spain training this week after reporting discomfort in his groin on joining up with his international team-mates.

Diego Costa will not play for Spain in forthcoming games against Macedonia and England
Diego Costa will not play for Spain in forthcoming games against Macedonia and England
The Spain squad continued to train for the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Thursday
The Spain squad continued to train for the World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Thursday
La Roja bossu00a0Julen Lopetegui will have to seek alternatives after a groin injury ruled Costa out
La Roja boss Julen Lopetegui will have to seek alternatives after a groin injury ruled Costa out

Spain manager Julen Lopetegui talked up the firebrand centre forward's prospects of featuring against Macedonia this week but he has now been forced to withdraw from the squad.