By Mandeep Sanghera

Hargreaves has been linked with a move to Man Utd

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has revealed he will sit out the friendly against Spain on Wednesday.

Hargreaves, 25, only returned to action from a broken leg last Friday - when he played the full 90 minutes of Bayern Munich's defeat against Nuremberg.

He told BBC Sport: "I spoke to England manager Steve McClaren on Saturday.

"He asked how the game was. I told him it was good but I was still physically a bit tired and sore. That's why I'm not going to play against Spain."

606: DEBATE It's very refreshing to see an England footballer that is that commited to the team EM 606: Have your say

Hargreaves has become an integral part of the England set-up after his all-action performances during the World Cup.

But his progress was stopped in its tracks when he sustained a broken leg in September and he missed the 2-0 defeat against Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier as well as the 1-1 friendly with Holland.

He joined up with the England squad on Sunday and, even though he will not play, Hargreaves will be on hand as McClaren begins his preparations for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

I'll have a session or two and join in as we prepare for two big international games in March Owen Hargreaves

England have away games against Israel on 24 March and Andorra four days later.

"I just returned on Friday and to play again on Wednesday would be too much," added Hargreaves.

"I'll have a session or two and join in as we prepare for two big international games in March.

"I have been in very close contact with Steve McClaren over the last few weeks and I think one of the most important things is that you try and pace yourself when coming back from a long-term injury."