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Iniesta and Pique 'will be ready'

SPAIN coach Vicente del Bosque will use the friendly against Azerbaijan in the capital Baku next Tuesday to finalise their preparations for the Confederations Cup.

SPAIN coach Vicente del Bosque will use the friendly against Azerbaijan in the capital Baku next Tuesday to finalise their preparations for the Confederations Cup.

Del Bosque named his final squad on Monday. It includes the Barcelona pair of Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique who are nursing injuries.

Del Bosque is optimistic that the duo - who are suffering from thigh injuries - will be ready for their opening match against New Zealand on June 14.

Pique and Iniesta are two of five Barca players included in the 23-man squad as Spain look to add the Fifa Confederations Cup title to their Uefa Euro 2008 crown.

Others are Carles Puyol, Xavi and young midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Del Bosque yesterday told the Fifa website: "We'll be going to South Africa to win the tournament."

After the game against the All Whites, Spain take on Iraq on June 17 and the hosts Bafana Bafana on June 20. The two matches will be played in Mangaung in Bloemfontein.

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