Soldado gets Spain's approval

Roberto Soldado has taken the place of the injured Fernando Morientes in the Spain squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Latvia and Liechtenstein.

Aragonés 'convinced'
With Morientes sidelined by a calf problem, 21-year-old striker Soldado - on loan at CA Osasuna from Real Madrid CF this season - gets a first chance to impress coach Luis Aragonés. Joaquín Sánchez also returns to the fold having made his last international appearance in August 2006, with Real Betis Balompié defender Juanito Gutiérrez making way. "Soldado played in the Under-21 match against England so we could observe him and he convinced me," said Aragonés. "If we win both these matches, we'll be in an ideal position to qualify for the finals." Spain are third in Group F, four points behind leaders Northern Ireland but with a game in hand. They visit Latvia on 2 June and Liechtenstein four days later.

Spain squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF), Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC).

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Antonio López (Club Atlético de Madrid), Joan Capdevila (RC Deportivo La Coruña), Ángel López (RC Celta de Vigo), Javi Navarro (Sevilla FC), Carlos Marchena (Valencia CF).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool FC), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia CF), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), David Albelda (Valencia CF), Miguel Ángel Angulo (Valencia CF), Joaquín Sánchez (Valencia CF).

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia CF), Roberto Soldado (CA Osasuna), Fernando Torres (Club Atlético de Madrid).