Luis Enrique 'really sorry' for Gaya's exclusion but stands by his decision despite Valencia claims

Luis Enrique has expressed his sadness at dropping Jose Gaya from Spain's World Cup squad but insisted he made the right choice despite Valencia apparently claiming the injury the left-back was a minor.

Gaya was dropped from the Spanish squad last week after injuring his ankle in training, and although the media at the time suggested his recovery would be brief, Luis Enrique replaced by Alejandro Balde from Barcelona.

After returning home, Spanish publication AS reported that Gaya's club quickly declared him fit.

But when Luis Enrique spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Spain's World Cup opener against Costa Rica, the coach said emphatically that Gaya's injury would have ruled him out for at least part of the group stage.

For the Spanish coach, going without a player for so long was not negotiable.

“As far as Gaya is concerned, it happens everywhere,” Luis Enrique told reporters. "I have to make decisions.

"If I followed my heart based on his professionalism, he would be there, but I can't make decisions based on my heart. I have to use my mind.

"In three games he couldn't have played at 100%. I have to make the best decision for the whole team and for the whole country. Imagine if I had listened to Valencia or what Gaya wanted, this which was normal, then imagine if [Jordi] Alba is injured.

"We would start the World Cup without a left-back, then imagine what you would say about me. You would wonder why we risked the situation.

"My mind told me that I had to make the best decision for the team, and there is no doubt that the best is to have two fully fit full-backs for the World Cup."