Spain manager Julian Lopetegui on Monday called up 36-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz to replace Morata, with the Blues forward missing Spain's final World Cup 2018 qualifying matches against Albania and Israel. Spain are also missing injured duo Andres Iniesta of Barcelona and Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid, replaced by Las Palmas' Jonathan Viera and Real Sociedad's Avaro Odriozola, as the Group G leaders bid to earn a place at the finals in Russia.#CFC striker Alvaro Morata faces lengthy lay-off with hamstring injury. @Matt_Law_DT reports -https://t.co/eHPMn4aZBV pic.twitter.com/MD6fh46M74
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) October 2, 2017
The Spaniards are three points clear of second-placed Italy with just the two rounds of matches remaining. Chelsea signed Morata from Real Madrid in the close season and the striker has flourished at Stamford Bridge, with seven goals in nine appearances for Antonio Conte's champions. If Morata's worst fears are confirmed he will miss both of Chelsea's Champions League group stage matches against AS Roma and several Premier League games, including the home clash with Manchester United on Nov. 5.Chelsea's Alvaro Morata faces up to six weeks out with a hamstring injury found in a scan by Spain's medical team, per @guardian_sport pic.twitter.com/FKu04G6xQt
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 2, 2017
Chelsea fear Alvaro Morata hamstring injury could see star striker miss over a month and SIX matches https://t.co/Ex9HKxFxze pic.twitter.com/E4oWIy3mvU
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) October 2, 2017