Puyol adds strength to Spain

Group F leaders Spain can count on Carles Puyol for the trip to Aarhus to take on Denmark on Saturday week as they look to maintain a three-point advantage over second-placed Northern Ireland and Sweden.

Key game
Luis Aragonés’s men have 19 points, five more than Denmark who, like third-placed Sweden, have two games in hand on the top two. Barcelona captain Puyol has recovered from a knee injury and was named in the selection along with potential debutants Raúl Albiol and Albert Riera. Riera is arguably the biggest surprise but Aragonés was clear about his quality. "Our qualification for EURO is at stake," he said. "I know Riera from my time at RCD Mallorca and he’s technically a great player." As well as the trip to Denmark, Spain will take on Finland in a friendly contest four days later.

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

Defenders: Pablo Ibáñez (Club Atlético de Madrid), Mariano Pernía (Club Atlético de Madrid), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Carlos Marchena (Valencia CF), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal CF), Raúl Albiol (Valencia CF).

Midfielders: 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 (Valencia CF), Albert Riera (RCD Espanyol).

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia CF), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Luis García (RCD Espanyol).