Spain assistant manager Toni Grande has admitted that it was "painful" for the coaching team to leave Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa out of the La Roja squad for the World Cup.

The experienced right-back has struggled with injury in the second half of the season and Grande has claimed that a lack of football has worked against him.

"Arbeloa has given a great deal to the national team. It's painful to leave him out," Grande told reporters during a book launch in Madrid.

"The injury he's had and his inactivity has worked against him, obviously. It's a matter of the injury and we can't look beyond that."

Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal is expected to battle Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta for the right-back position this summer.