International squad

Luis Aragonés named his squad for the World Cup qualifying double header at the beginning of next month. Spain will be playing against Belgium on 8th October and then San Marino on 12th October, both away from home. With Del Horno, Morientes, Tamudo and Luque all injured and Xabi Alonso suspended, there is a recall for Reyes, Villa, Mista and Capdevila. Orbaiz drops out to make room for Baraja, returning after injury, and Albelda comes back in after a one match suspension, making it six Valencia players in the squad in all. The full list is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool);
Defenders: Antonio López and Pablo (Atlético Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Betis), Capdevila (Deportivo), Michel Salgado and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Marchena (Valencia);
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquín (Betis), De la Peña (Espanyol), Luis García (Liverpool), Albelda, Baraja and Vicente (Valencia);
Forwards: Reyes (Arsenal); Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid), Raúl (Real Madrid), David Villa and Mista (Valencia).

Spain really need to win both games to be sure of a place in the top two, and a defeat against Belgium could mean they would miss out on next summer's World Cup completely. (30.09.05)