MADRID, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui on Friday gave a hint to what his squad for this summer's World Cup finals will look like when he announced a 24-man squad for Spain's forthcoming friendly matches against Germany in Dusseldorf and at home to Argentina in Madrid.
Lopetegui has handed debut call ups to Valencia midfielder Dani Parejo and Villarreal youngster Rodrigo Hernandez. Both will provide cover for Sergio Busquets who missed out with a foot injury.
Meanwhile left back Marcos Alonso is rewarded for his performances with Chelsea with his first call up, while Diego Costa is also back after not playing at the end of 2017 as he was not playing regular league football.
Among the players who miss out in relation to Lopetegui's last squad are Atletico Madrid winger, Victor Machin 'Vitolo' and Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, whose poor recent form is worrying with the World Cup just around the corner, along with Asier Illaramendi, Luis Alberto, Suso and Jose Callejon.
The squad implies Lopetegui is very clear about who his best three goalkeepers are for the summer, and that with the exception of left back, he also has a good idea about his defense. With Busquets certain to return for Russia, there are places in midfield up for grabs if Parejo and Rodri can impress, while the lack of strikers means Morata can still make the World Cup if his form improves before the end of the season.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pepe Reina, David de Gea.
Defenders: Alvaro Odriozola, Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Midfielders: Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, Saúl Niguez, Dani Parejo, Koke, Rodri Hernandez, David Silva, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vázquez.
Forwards: Rodrigo Moreno, Iago Aspas, and Diego Costa.
