Madrid, May 15: With players from Barcelona, Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao unavailable, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has concocted a squad for two friendlies that will likely bear little resemblance to the team he takes to the European Championship.
The most surprising call-ups by Del Bosque include Real Betis midfielder Benat Etxebarria, little-used Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol, and Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia.
"I have incorporated players that have had a good season ... thinking not only in the Euros but also in the middle-term with our World Cup qualifiers coming up," Del Bosque said. "We have to think about those that can be helpful to us in the future."
Along with Benat and Garcia, Malaga's 19-year-old playmaker Francisco "Isco" Alarcon joined Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran Torres and striker Adrian Lopez as newcomers.
Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao play in the Copa del Rey final on May 25 and Chelsea plays in the Champions League final on Saturday, ruling out their players' participation. Spain's squad for its last friendly against Venezuela featured 15 players from the three clubs.
Del Bosque said he would make his decision regarding Chelsea's players on May 21 before the final list for Euro 2012 is due on May 27.
The former Real Madrid coach said that the decision on David Villa, Spain's all-time leading scorer, was a "special case," while making no mention of whether he would recall Chelsea striker Fernando Torres after he was dropped for its last friendly.
"Villa is a particular case. We know how he is doing and that he is hopeful," Del Bosque said. "We are watching closely how he comes along."
The Barcelona striker hasn't played a match since breaking his leg in December.
With Villa and Torres' future in the air, Roberto Soldado, Alvaro Negredo and the young Adrian may be competing for the chance to accompany Bilbao's Fernando Llorente up front.
Del Bosque acknowledged that he has concerns about injuries and players' form with the 38-game Spanish league season just over and with some players, including key squad members like Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, still in competition.
"There can be a certain drop-off by players at the end of the season," Del Bosque said. "We will see if we are able to balance our training, games, and rest so we can arrive in the best condition possible to our first game on (June) 10."
Spain plays Serbia on May 26 and South Korea on May 30 in friendlies in Switzerland. The team will then play a final warm-up match against China on June 3 in Seville.
World champion Spain is seeking to become the first team to defend its European title. It was perfect in qualifying and has won 33 of its 36 competitive games since the Euro 2008 triumph, with only two losses.
Spain opens Group C against Italy on June 10 before facing Ireland and Croatia, with all three group games to be played in Gdansk, Poland.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pep Reina (Liverpool), David de Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Nacho Monreal (Malaga), Alvaro Dominguez (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), David Silva (Manchester City), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis), Javi Garcia (Benfica), Francisco "Isco" Alarcon (Malaga)
Forwards: Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Adrian Lopez (Atletico Madrid)
