Spanish national squad

Iñaki Sáez announced a 21 man squad for the upcoming two matches, the Euro 2004 qualifier against Northern Ireland in Albacete on 12th October and the friendly against Paraguay in Logroño four days later. Sáez has called up seven players from Real Madrid and two from Betis, which could cause some conflict as the two sides are due to play the rest of their suspended game next Tuesday. Guti gets a recall as does Capi, and between them they are expected to be the replacements for the injured Valerón. Doubts about Raúl's fitness means that he has called up four forwards, including Diego Tristán who returns to the side having now recovered from the injury he picked up in the World Cup. Tristán's team mate Capdevila gets the nod over his more senior colleague Romero for the left back position, and will be making his debut for the full international side. (03.10.02)

The complete squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Contreras (Málaga), Casillas (Real Madrid)

Defenders: García Calvo (Atlético Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Capdevila (Deportivo), Iván Helguera, Michel Salgado and Raúl Bravo (Real Madrid), Marchena (Valencia)

Midfielders: Mendieta and Xavi (Barcelona), Capi and Joaquín (Betis), Guti (Real Madrid), Albelda, Baraja and Vicente (Valencia)

Forwards: Diego Tristán (Deportivo), Tamudo (Espanyol), Morientes and Raúl (Real Madrid).