Who will replace Diego Costa for Spain in their Euro Qualifier against Belarus?

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Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque looks to his players during a training session
Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque looks to his players during a training session ahead of their match against Belarus.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque faces a dilemma when his side entertains Belarus in Huelva in their Euro 2016 qualifying game Saturday night.

A win for the 2010 world champions will give them three victories from their opening four qualifying matches and set them well on the way to the finals, but without the injured Diego Costa, whose absence has caused certain controversy given that he played in Chelsea's last league game before the international break, and Cesc Fabregas, Del Bosque has to decide who will lead the Spanish attack, reports Xinhua.

Valencia forward Paco Alcacer is a certainty having scored in his first three matches for his country, even though his goals at his club have dried up slightly in recent weeks.

However, without Costa to lead the line or Fabregas to play in a 'false nine' position behind Alcacer, Del Bosque will have to choose between Pedro Rodriguez and debutants Alvaro Morata and Jose Callejon to partner him.

Morata has hit form after a move from Real Madrid to Juventus this summer while Callejon offers width and mobility to the coach.

Spain will also be without mid-field maestro Andres Iniesta and full back Dani Carvajal through injury while the Barcelona duo Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique are in the squad despite being in poor form for their club.

That could see Del Bosque use Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran Torres at right back, while Raul Albiol, who plays alongside Callejon at Napoles, could partner Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Spain defence with Santi Cazorla playing in mid-field.

Iker Casillas will presumably return in goal for this game but given that Spain are clear favourites. Del Bosque has the option of continuing with David De Gea, who was in goal against Luxembourg last month.

The Spain coach is trying to ease the Manchester United goalkeeper into his side between now and 2016, when Casillas will presumably announce his international retirement.

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Edited by Staff Editor