Spain’s ‘Furia Roja’ head coach Luis Aragones has hit a major injury set-back in his World Cup preparation plans. Two of Spain’s key figures in the qualification for the World Cup finals could be ruled out of the tournament next summer due to injury, after Xavi Hernandez joined Spain captain Raul on the long-term injury list.

Aragones will now have to look to the younger members of the squad as possible replacements, giving chances to Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, and Arsenal FC's Cesc Fabregas, who have both been regulars with Spain's Under-21 side, and are now both likely to be given their chance to break into the Spain senior squad.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has suffered a knee injury, which now looks as if it is going to rob Aragones of his main creative midfielder for Spain’s World Cup warm-up matches.

Xavi damaged ligaments training on Friday, and could need an operation that will keep him out of action for at least six months, which means an uphill struggle for the Spain playmaker to get back to full match fitness in time to make it to the World Cup finals.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 33 senior International caps, has injured himself within two weeks of Spain’s ‘Furia Roja” captain Raul suffering a partial ligament tear in his left knee, which will keep the 28-year-old Real Madrid striker out of action for a minimum of two months.

Raul is going to give time for the injury to settle before deciding whether or not he has to undergo an operation that would prolong his time on the sidelines.

Raul's recovery time is estimated to be between three to six months, depending on whether or not the injury necessitates surgery, and brings into question his ability to recover in time to captain his country in the World Cup finals in Germany.

"They are very important players. They are fixtures in the side who are difficult to replace and I would prefer both of them to be there," Aragones told the Spanish sports publication ‘Marca’ on Saturday. "All we can do now is wait and see if they are able to return in time."

“I would rather wait until Xavi has his operation and then we can see exactly what the doctors say. If it is six months out, it is a long time, but you never know.”

"They are two very important players and i prefer to remain optimistic," said Aragones. "I would rather not think about a World Cup without the pair, they are hard players to replace. Now all we can do is see if they are able to recover. I wish them the best."

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