Vicente del Bosque has named a 26-man provisional squad for the Confederations Cup, including Roberto Soldado, Benat Etxebarria and Javi Garcia.
Del Bosque will trim the squad down to the required 23 ahead of the heading out to Brazil for this summer’s tournament, reportedly making the final cut after next weekend’s final League games of the season in Spain.
La Roja’s selection has listed few surprises, with 20 players included having gone to last summer’s European Championships, with only Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Negredo and Juanfran Torres dropping out.
Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina have remained as the goalkeeping trio, as expected and despite Casillas having not played competitively since January.
Defence sees Nacho Monreal and Cesar Azpilicueta picked as back-up full-backs to Alvaro Arbeloa and Jordi Alba, meaning no place for Juanfran, whilst Carles Puyol is absent in recovering from knee surgery, so Raul Albiol backs up Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.
Meanwhile, midfield sees Manchester City’s Javi Garcia included, as well as Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez return after a recent absence from the team.
They are joined by Real Betis’ Benat, in a provisional midfield selection of 13 players.
Attack sees Valencia’s Soldado pip Negredo for a place alongside Pedro Rodriguez, David Villa and Fernando Torres.
Spain squad for Confederations Cup
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Nacho Monreal
Midfielders: Javi Garcia, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Javi Martinez, Jesus Navas, Benat Etxebarria, Juan Mata, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas
Forwards: David Villa, Fernando Torres, Roberto Soldado, Pedro Rodriguez
