Julen Lopetegui is happy to wait as long as he can for Spain fullback Dani Carvajal to prove his fitness.

Spain fullback Carvajal will be fighting to play in his team’s World Cup opener, according to coach Lopetegui.

Carvajal suffered a hamstring injury during Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday.

The setback sparked fears the 26-year-old – capped 15 times by Spain – would miss the World Cup.

Lopetegui said he would give Carvajal every chance to prove his fitness, adding there was hope that he could face Portugal in their World Cup opener on 15 June.

‘I had a feeling it was not so bad and it was confirmed,’ he told El Larguero on Monday.

‘The doctors told us that they are going to fight to play the first game. We are going to see his progress.

‘We thought it is worth waiting for Carvajal.’

The defender will reportedly miss two to three weeks, a timeline which could see him take on Portugal.