Negredo hopes for weekend return

Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo is hoping to be fit for this weekend's La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon after missing Spain's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying double-header with a hamstring problem. The 26-year-old withdrew from the national team squad last week for the matches against Czech Republic and Scotland due to the injury and he is waiting on the results of a scan to see if he can face Sporting. He said on the club's website: "The feelings are very good but we need to wait for the scan to see the state of the injury. I'm a player who can play with pain, but this is a delicate area. But if nothing shows up in Thursday's scan then I'm going to try and play." Missing the Spain matches was a blow for the former Real Madrid striker as he tries to earn himself a place in next year's EURO 2012 squad, but he hopes good club form will keep him at the forefront of Vicente del Bosque's plans. "There's a long way to go, it's all related to doing things well with my team and then when the [Spain] coach gives you a chance, continue working along the line that I'm following which I think is correct," he said. "Now I have to maintain my level, make it difficult for the national team coach. The European Championships is a train that is far off but I will do everything possible to be on it."