MADRID: Barcelona`s talismanic defender Carles Puyol has pulled out of the Spain squad which will open its defence of its European title against Liechtenstein later this week due to a calf muscle injury, the Spanish football federation said on Tuesday.

He will be replaced by Osasuna defender Nacho Monreal, it said in a statement posted on its web site. Monreal has just two international caps.

"The player felt discomfort in his left leg during a warm-up before the first training session of the national team at Las Rozas. He immediately reported it to doctors and left from the practice field," the statement said, adding tests showed he had damaged a calf muscle.

World champions Spain play Liechtenstein on Friday in Vaduz in their first Euro 2012 qualifier. They will travel to face Argentina in an international friendly four days later.

BDST:0410HRS, SEPTEMBER 01, 2010