Javi Hernández leaves the Sub-21 camp due to muscle discomfort

RCD Espanyol

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Javier Hernández
3.330.000€-100.000€2

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Bad news for the RCD Espanyol during the international break. Javi Hernández has left the Spain Under-21 camp due to muscle discomfort and will not be able to take part in the next matches for the squad coached by David Gordo.

The RFEF confirms Javi Hernández's withdrawal

The Royal Spanish Football Federation announced this Saturday that Javi Hernández has withdrawn from the squad due to “muscle discomfort”. The Federation's medical services have been in permanent contact with their counterparts at Espanyol to keep them informed about the player's situation.

For now the exact area affected and the extent of the discomfort have not been specified, so we will have to wait for the player to return to Barcelona and be examined by the medical staff of the Pericos. There is also currently no official estimate of how long he could be sidelined.

His place in the squad will be taken by Rafael Garrido 'Rafita', a player from Málaga. Spain Under-21 still has matches against San Marino, on October 1, and Romania, on October 6.

He missed his debut against Finland

Javi Hernández was approaching his first Under-21 call-up with particular excitement after a strong start to the season with Espanyol. However, he was already left out of the match against Finland, played on Friday and which ended with a 2-1 defeat for Spain.

The discomfort has ultimately led to his definitive departure from the camp, so he will have to wait for a new opportunity to make his debut with the national team.

An important piece for Manolo González

The news is a cause for concern at Espanyol because Javi Hernández has become one of the players with the biggest role to play at the start of this campaign.

The 22-year-old has been a starter in the first seven LaLiga matchdays, playing 561 minutes and providing four assists. Those numbers reflect the confidence Manolo González has placed in him since his return to the club.

His attacking output has dipped slightly over the last few matches, but he remains a regular part of the Pericos' starting XI. Before the break, he had completed 90 minutes against Elche, after also starting against Levante, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla, Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano.

Málaga-Espanyol, on the horizon

The schedule offers some leeway for his recovery. Espanyol's next official match will be Friday, October 9, against Málaga at La Rosaleda, meaning there are almost two weeks to assess his progress.

It is precisely Málaga that Rafita plays for, the player who will now take his place in the Under-21 squad.