Joaquin and Helguera back in training with Spain

Spain coach Inaki Saez received a major boost on Wednesday when winger Joaquin and centre-back Ivan Helguera came through a training session for this weekend's Euro 2004 playoff first leg against Norway.

The two players, who had both been suffering from niggling injuries that cast doubt over their participation in Saturday's match in Valencia, completed the first of the day's training sessions at the team's base in Las Rozas near Madrid.

Joaquin missed Real Betis's league match against Barcelona last weekend because of a groin injury and was still complaining of pain in his abdomen on Tuesday, while Real Madrid centre-back Helguera has been suffering from a sciatic nerve problem.

Given his surfeit of resources in midfield Saez may choose to rest Joaquin for the first leg at the Mestalla and give Athletic Bilbao's Joseba Etxeberria the berth on the right wing, but he has fewer options in defence and will be keen to include Helguera in his starting line-up.

Spain, who finished as runners-up to Greece in Group Six of the qualifying tournament, travel to Oslo for the return leg next Wednesday.