Spain call up Pernia as Del Hornois ruled out

SPAIN coach Luis Aragones has called up Getafe defender Mariano Pernia to replace the injured Asier Del Horno in his World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old Chelsea defender injured a tendon in his leg on May 24 and has been ruled out for at least 20 days. The Spanish Football Federation were given the green light by FIFA yesterday to make the change.

Argentinian-born Pernia, aged 29, earned his Spanish citizenship earlier this year and will join the national team, currently in Valencia, in the next 24 hours.

Pernia, is on holiday in Argentina and will have to postpone his honeymoon. He could make his debut in the World Cup warm-up against Egypt on June 3.