MADRID -- Sergio Ramos only contribution to Spain in a World Cup qualifier this weekend will be a pep talk to his teammates.Ramos visited the teams training camp this week ahead of Saturdays match against Macedonia, but the captain wont be on the field in the southern city of Granada because of an injury -- one of the many players missing as Spain tries to defend its Group G lead in European qualifying.Spain coach Julen Lopetegui also wont be able to count on playmaker Andres Iniesta, striker Diego Costa, defender Gerard Pique, left back Jordi Alba and defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.Costa was the latest to be dropped from the squad on Thursday, being released because of a thigh injury that had kept him from practicing with the rest of the squad during the week. Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas was named as his replacement, joining the national team for the first time.We are going to try to turn difficulties into opportunities, Lopetegui said. We cant lament anything. Im happy with the players that we called up, and they are going to help us achieve victory in both matches.Three days after hosting Macedonia, Spain will play a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.Lopetegui will have to work extra hard to set up his defense, which is not used to being without veteran central defenders Ramos and Pique at the same time. Ramos is nursing a left knee injury, while Pique is recovering from sprained ligaments in his right ankle.Weve had to restructure the defense the best way possible, Lopetegui said, not dismissing the possibility of having to improvise with right back Cesar Azpilicueta at center back.The Chelsea player has played in the position in the past.Other options for Lopetegui include Real Madrids Nacho Fernandez, Real Sociedads Inigo Martinez, Sevillas Sergio Escudero and Borussia Dortmunds Marc Bartra.With Costa not playing up front, Alvaro Morata and Aritz Aduriz should get a chance to perform alongside each other in the lineup. Other forwards in the squad include Lucas Vazquez, Manuel Nolito Agudo, Jose Callejon and Victor Vitolo Machin.Its great to have so many options, said Aduriz, who was called up after scoring five goals in an Athletic Bilbao win in the Europa League last week. We are all here to help.At midfield, it will be difficult to substitute for Iniesta, who has been sidelined because of right knee injury. Among the options available for Lopetegui are Juan Mata, Thiago Alcantara and Jorge Koke Resurreccion.Some important players couldnt come because of injuries, but that creates an opportunity to those who are here, reserve goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.Spain and Italy have seven points each after three games in Group G, with the Spaniards ahead on goal difference. Albania and Israel are one point behind, while Macedonia and Liechtenstein have yet to earn points.Italy plays at Lichtenstein the same day that Spain hosts Macedonia.Only the group winner automatically secures a spot for the World Cup in Russia. The second-place team must go through a playoff to try to make it to the 2018 tournament.Spain is coming off a 2-0 win at Albania. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 in Turin in October.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni Authentic Sneaker Wholesale . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Wholesale Sneakers Australia . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.cheapsneakersaustralia.com/ .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Sneakers Australia Sale . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Cheap Sneakers Australia Online . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. ATLANTA -- Jeremy Holloway put up 20 points and pulled down seven boards to help power Georgia State past winless Alabama A&M 94-79 for the Panthers fourth straight win at home to start the season Wednesday night.Holloway shot 7 of 12 from the field, but was especially deadly from the outside, knocking down 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.DMarcus Simonds added 18 points and Malik Benlevi contributed 17 as the Panthers (6-3) shot 54.7 percent from the field (35 of 64), including 8 of 19 ffrom distance.ddddddddddddQuinterian McConico, who came into the game averaging 9.8 points per game, went off for a season-high 30 for Alabama A&M (0-