Costa not hampered by injury
Madrid: Spain striker Diego Costa did not appear to be slowed by injury in training on Monday as the defending World Cup champions prepared for their final international friendly before heading to Brazil. All 23 players took part in the training session ahead of Saturday’s match against El Salvador in Washington. Costa was put through a special stretching session with Cesc Fabregas afterward, the Spanish federation said. Costa has been hobbled for weeks by a right thigh muscle problem, but coach Vicente del Bosque is gambling that the Atletico Madrid forward will be fit to lead Spain’s attack at the World Cup ahead of Fabregas, Fernando Torres and David Villa. “I didn’t think they would let me train from the start but we did some tests and I’m well,” Costa told reporters. “I think I can be fit for the match against the Netherlands, even for the friendly in Washington.”
Rossi dismisses fitness doubts
MIlAN: Giuseppe Rossi dismissed speculation Monday that he was omitted from Italy’s World Cup squad because of concerns about his fitness. Rossi only recently returned from a four-month layoff following his latest right knee injury but was included in Italy coach Cesare Prandelli’s provisional 30-man squad. The United States-born forward was one of six players cut - along with injured midfielder Riccardo Montolivo - from the final 23-man list on Sunday. “Everyone says I’m not in shape: I dare them to ask anyone for the test results and those of the match. You’ll be surprised,” Rossi wrote in both English and Italian on Twitter on Monday. The 27-year-old Rossi has struggled with a number of serious injuries in his career and will now miss a third straight major international tournament.