MADRID, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis Enrique has made several changes to his squad for the forthcoming international matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.
The big news is the return of Barcelona left back Jordi Alba into the squad. Alba, who has worked with Luis Enrique for three years at the Camp Nou, had been absent from the new Spain coach's first two squads, but returns to replace Chelsea's Marcos Alonso.
Alba's absence had been the main surprise of Luis Enrique's first two squads and the failure of the coach to explain why he had left out a player with 66 appearances for Spain led to speculation that he had left Alba out for personal reasons.
When asked about the left back on Tuesday, Luis Enrique said Alba was "at a very high level, but I always see him like that."
There are debut call ups for Celta Vigo's attacking midfielder Brais Mendez, Villarreal's Pablo Fornals and Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso, while central defender Inigo Martinez returns to the squad after injury.
As well as Marcos Alonso, central defenders Raul Albiol and Marc Bartra lose their places, along with Atletico Madrid midfielder, Koke and Borussia Dortmund striker Paco Alcacer, while there is no place for Diego Costa.
Alcacer can count himself very unlucky to be dropped after scoring twice in the 4-1 win away to Wales and also scoring in the 3-2 home defeat to England in October.
"There are new faces and young players who are coming in and they can help us and give competition in the future. It is a big squad, which means there is competition for everyone, and I think that is necessary," said Luis Enrique in the video which accompanied his announcement.
Spain face Croatia in Zagreb on November 15th in the UEFA Nations League before playing a friendly against Bosnia- Herzegovina in Las Palmas three days later.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pau Lopez
Defenders: Jonny Otto, Cesar Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Sergio Ramos, Mario Hermoso, Inigo Martinez, Gaya, Jordi Alba.
Midfield. Sergio Busquets, Pablo Fornals, Brais Mendez, Sergi Roberto, Saul Niguez, Dani Ceballos, Rodri.
Forwards Suso, Rodrigo Moreno, Iago Aspas, Alvaro Morata, Isco, Marco Asensio.
