Villa back in Spain squad after injury

Updated: 2012-09-01 10:16

(Xinhua)

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MADRID - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has recalled striker David Villa to his squad for the forthcoming round of international matches.

The Barcelona player, who missed Spain's triumphant European Championship campaign this summer as a result of a broken leg is the surprise name in Del Bosque's squad, given that he has only played a handful of minutes for Barca at the start of this season.

Villa has already opened his scoring account with a goal against Real Sociedad and his position as the top scoring Spain international ever, with 51 goals for his country. Del Bosque recalled him at the first opportunity.

Valencia striker, Roberto Soldado, who was left out of Del Bosque's squad in June and Betis' midfielder, Benat Etxeberria have also been called up for the friendly game against Saudi Arabia and the World Cup qualifying match away to Georgia.

Meanwhile Athletic Bilbao striker, Fernando Llorente and Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo have been left out along with Javi Martinez, who completed a 40 million euro transfer from Athletic to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Neither Llorente nor Martinez have played this season after both confirmed they wanted to abandon the Basque team.

Following is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes ( Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool).

Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique ( Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Nacho Monreal (Malaga).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets ( Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Benat Etxeberria ( Betis).

Strikers: Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), David Villa (Barcelona).