Spain will announce their 23-man squad for Euro 2016 on Tuesday, and Isco and Saul Niguez are expected to be the players cut.
Vicente del Bosque confirmed the 19 players who would travel to Salzburg for Wednesday’s friendly against South Korea would be among those in his European selection, leaving four gaps to be filled by the six Real Madrid and Atletico men who played in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Consequently, Marca reports Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Juanfran and Koke – the latter of whom has yet to prove his fitness – are the four in question, with Isco and Saul to be axed.
Although the case of Saul is considered not so much of a surprise, Isco was tipped to be one of Spain’s shining lights in France after he played a key role in the country’s qualifying campaign.
Elsewhere, Hector Bellerin’s place in the squad is confirmed at the expense of the injured Dani Carvajal, despite the Arsenal right-back only being intended for Sunday’s 3-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Initial Spain squad for Euro 2016: Casillas, De Gea, Rico; Pique, Alba, Bartra, Azpilicueta, San Jose, Bellerin; Bruno, Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta, Silva, Cesc; Pedro, Aduriz, Nolito, Morata.
