New York, July 1 (IANS) Spain will be without two key players for their World Cup Round-of-32 match against Austria in Los Angeles on Thursday, but Lamine Yamal looks likely to play an increasingly important role for coach Luis de la Fuente.

Spain’s bruising final group match against Uruguay on Friday left Nico Williams nursing a groin injury after a heavy challenge from Nicolas de la Cruz, while Yeremy Pino suffered a shoulder injury following another bad tackle.

Although neither injury is as serious as first feared, neither player will be fit to face Austria, and both are doubts for a possible last-16 tie if Spain qualifies, robbing De la Fuente of two vital wide players.

The good news for the Spain coach is that Yamal continues to build match fitness, moving from 19 minutes in Spain’s first group game against Cabo Verde to a decisive 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia and 76 minutes against Uruguay as he recovers from the serious hamstring injury he suffered at the end of last season, reports Xinhua.

With Williams and Pino sidelined, Alex Baena looks likely to start on the left wing after scoring the winner against Uruguay.

Elsewhere, De la Fuente is expected to stick with a defense that has yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, with the impressive Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi in central defense and Marcos Llorente and Marc Cucurella as fullbacks in front of the unflappable Unai Simón.

Pedri, Rodri, Hernandez, and Fabian Ruiz will start in a hugely talented midfield, while Mikel Merino, another player returning to full fitness, waits for his chance.

Finally, winger Victor Munoz should be available after struggling with a calf injury, and if needed, the 22-year-old can also offer pace down the flanks.

Earlier, Williams wrote on social media that it was the “worst day” of his life, but tests have shown that he hasn’t suffered a torn muscle and that, although he won’t be able to play against Austria on July 2 in the last-32, if Spain qualifies, he will have a chance of playing in either the last-16 or quarter-finals. reports Xinhua.

Speaking on Spanish state TV network RTVE, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was asked about Williams and said that after he saw the winger’s message, “I went to talk to him and gave him my opinion.”

“I spoke to him about perseverance, about overcoming problems and suffering, because you have to be used to this kind of moment – and I told him he was prepared.”

“It helped to change his attitude completely, and if you speak to him (Williams) now, he will tell you things that are very different from that moment when he was really down,” explained De la Fuente.

Speaking to the media, Marcos Llorente said, “It’s a difficult moment for Nico and Yeremy, but they’re already handling it better. The group is very important to us, and if we go far, they can help us. We have confidence in ourselves.”

–IANS

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