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Del Bosque makes changes in Spain squad

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque produced a few surprises when he named his squad for the 2016 European Championship qualifying tie against Ukraine in Seville's Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

The big surprise is his decision to call Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo into his squad at the expense of Espanyol's Kiko Casilla.

Del Bosque has also handed a debut callup to Sevilla's in-form attacking midfielder Vitolo, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata and Athletic Club Bilbao's Mikel San Jose, who can play either in central defense or central midfield.

Spain regulars David Silva and Cesc Fabrigas, who both missed the last international game through injury, also return to the squad while players such as Bruno Soriano, Ander Iturraspe and Javi Martinez are all out injured.

Del Bosque explained that Vitolo received his callup because "he has improved, he is playing well for Sevilla and he could be very useful for us on the left".

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Sergio Asenjo

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Juanfran Torres, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Jordi Alba, Bernat

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Mario Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Mikel San Jose, Vitolo, Koke, Santi Cazorla, David Silva, Cesc Fabrigas, Isco

Strikers: Diego Costa, Pedro Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata. Endi