Oyarzabal ruled out for Spain vs Czech Republic due to illness, England game uncertain

Out of Thursday's Czech Republic match with flu-like illness; availability for England game uncertain pending recovery.

Mikel Oyarzabal will miss Spain's Euro qualifier against Czech Republic on Thursday due to illness in the final stages of a flu-like condition. The Real Sociedad captain was also absent from his club's match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, sidelined by a combination of throat problems and back pain from a heavy collision in Thursday's Europa League game against Lyon.

Oyarzabal is expected to join the Spain squad later in the week ahead of the second qualifier against England in Madrid, though his participation in that match remains uncertain. Manager Luis de la Fuente is not planning to replace him.

The 27-year-old has played 13 of 15 matches as a starter this season despite a demanding fixture schedule, and is also expecting his second child, which could further impact his availability.