MADRID, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on Friday announced his squad for the forthcoming friendly games against Serbia and Egypt, which will be the last chance players have to impress before the World Cup finals kick off in June.
De la Fuente has given four players their first call-up at full international level and also taken the surprising step to name four goalkeepers to include FC Barcelona's Joan Garcia.
"Rules are made to be broken. He's a great goalkeeper, we didn't just discover that; he's been an under-21 international for five years. He can contribute to a positive team environment, a strong work ethic, teamwork, and the ability to push others. We felt it was the right time for him to join us," said the coach when asked about Garcia.
Osasuna winger Victor Munoz and Real Sociedad's Ander Barrenetxea also make their debuts along with Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has captained the under-21 side.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez gets a recall after recovering from injury, but there is no place for Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal, who has struggled after a knee operation.
The coach has also had to deal with injuries to key players such as midfielders Fabian Ruiz, Pablo Barrios and Mikel Merino, along with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, while the Spanish press speculates that Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill would also have been given a chance but for an inopportune rib injury.
Spain was due to play the Finalissima against Argentina in Qatar, but that game had to be cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in nearby Iran and the inability of the parties to find a suitable alternative venue.
"We wanted to play it, but I congratulate the [football] Federation for finding alternative rivals," said De la Fuente.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia, Alex Remiro
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Alex Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Cristhian Mosquera.
Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Carlos Soler, Pablo Fornals, Dani Olmo.
Forwards. Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Victor Munoz, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Yeremy, Ander Barrenetxea, Alex Baena. ■
