Villa trains on sidelines, but on course for Russia

VIENNA (Reuters) - Striker David Villa trained apart from the Spain squad on Friday but looks on course to make his side's Euro 2008 opener against Russia on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in 31 appearances for Spain, missed Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the United States because of a bruised thigh.

Second string forward Sergio Garcia, who has been suffering from a bruised calf, also worked out separately from his team mates at their training ground in the Austrian mountain resort of Neustift im Stubaital.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta trained normally after missing the United States game because of a stomach bug.

During the session, coach Luis Aragones ordered the removal of a television camera and microphone placed at one end of the training pitch.

Aragones had his comments to players picked up by television crews in the past and clearly wanted to avoid a repetition of similar incidents.

The 69-year-old hit the headlines in October 2004 when he was caught on camera making derogatory remarks about France striker Thierry Henry to his then Arsenal team mate Jose Antonio Reyes during a training session.

After the Russia match, Spain play Sweden and then holders Greece in their remaining games in Group D.

(Writing by Simon Baskett in Madrid, editing by Trevor Huggins in Vienna)