Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has overlooked striker Diego Costa and recalled midfielder Thiago Alcantara for the holders' final two Euro 2016 Group C qualifiers against Luxembourg and Ukraine this month.
Published : 02 Oct 2015, 09:27 PM
Chelsea's Costa is suspended for the match against Luxembourg in Logrono in a week's time but would have been available for the game in Kiev three days later. He was replaced on the 23-man roster by Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.
Thiago, who is back on good form at Bayern Munich after a series of knee problems and last played for La Roja in a friendly against Italy in March 2014, comes in as cover for injured pair Andres Iniesta and Koke.
Del Bosque said the decision to leave Brazil-born Costa out was taken after he was booked in Spain's 1-0 win away to Macedonia last month and was not a result of the player's disciplinary problems in the Premier League.
Costa was banned for three domestic matches by the English FA last month after being found guilty of violent conduct in a match against Arsenal.
"I did not like what happened in the Premier League, I don't think it was edifying," Del Bosque told a news conference at Spain's training base outside Madrid on Friday.