Spanish international squads

Spanish international squads Luis Aragonés named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Belgium (Santander, 9th October) and Lithuania (Vilnius, 13th October), giving a first cap to Athletic Bilbao's Yeste and recalling Barcelona's Xavi. The inclusion of the two midfielders means that Deportivo's Valerón is left out, together with Helguera and Morientes (Real Madrid) and López Rekarte (Real Sociedad). Aragonés has called up 20 players in all to cover for Romero and Vicente, both of whom are carrying injuries. (01.10.04)

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Cañizares (Valencia);
Defenders: Del Horno (Athletic Bilbao), Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Betis), Romero (Deportivo), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Marchena (Valencia);
Midfielders: Yeste (Athletic Bilbao), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquín (Betis), Víctor (Deportivo), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Albelda, Baraja and Vicente (Valencia);
Forwards: Reyes (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid), Tamudo (Espanyol), Raúl (Real Madrid).

PS. The injuries to Romero and Vicente were confirmed, and Aragonés decided to release them, calling up Romero's Deportivo team mates Capdevila and Luque instead. (04.10.04)

PPS. Atlético Madrid's young defender Pablo Ibáñez was called up for the first time after Juanito also pulled out of the squad. (07.10.04)

There were five changes to Iñaki Sáez's squad for the under 21 fixtures against the same two opponents, which will take place the day before the full international matches. Carlos García and Jonan García both return to the side, and in come Molinero, Zapater and Valencia's 18 year old winger David Silva, who is currently on loan at Eibar. (30.09.04)

Under 21 squad:

Goalkeepers: Riesgo (Real Sociedad), Moyà (Mallorca);
Defenders: Murillo (Athletic Bilbao), Molinero (Atlético Madrid), Peña (Barcelona), Melli (Betis), Jarque (Espanyol), Carlos García (Poli Ejido), Sergio Ramos (Sevilla);
Midfielders: Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal), Gabi (Getafe), Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Eibar), Xabi Prieto (Real Sociedad), Jesús Navas and Puerta (Sevilla), Vitolo (Tenerife), Cazorla (Villarreal), Zapater (Zaragoza);
Forwards: Jonan García (Athletic Bilbao), Arizmendi (Racing Santander), Sergio García (Levante).

PS. Héctor Font (Villarreal), Juanfran and Soldado (both Real Madrid) have been called up to replace Xabi Prieto, Jesús Navas and Arizmendi, who have pulled out because of injuries. (04.10.04)