With David Villa pulling out of the Spain squad for this week’s World Cup qualifiers, Vicente del Bosque has handed a first call-up to Michu.
The former Rayo Vallecano striker has impressed since moving out to the Premier League and has now been rewarded with a first opportunity at international level with La Roja.
Villa was originally named in the squad to face Belarus and Georgia in October’s closing qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, but sustained an ankle injury during Atleti’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.
On the advice of team medics, the player has withdrawn from the national team and, ahead of Roberto Soldado and Fernando Llorente, Swansea’s Michu has been selected.
The 27-year-old netted 22 goals in his debut season in Britain last season.
