MADRID: Coach Vicente Del Bosque admitted the reason he chose to leave in-form Chelsea ace midfielder Juan Mata (pic) out of the Spain squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers was because there was no room for him.

Del Bosque announced his squad for the forthcoming games against Belarus and France yesterday and raised eyebrows with the omission of Mata.

"We could not find him a place," said Del Bosque.

"We have enough players for the games. We have chosen those that we think are the best to compete in these matches."

The only new face from the last squad, that faced Saudi Arabia and Georgia, is Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez, who is included in place of the injured Gerard Pique.

Alvaro Negredo is also left out despite putting in some decent recent displays for Sevilla and Valencia's Roberto Soldado retains his spot among the strikers.

Carlos Puyol was also not considered and would have been unavailable anyway after injuring his elbow in Barcelona's Champions League victory against Benfica in midweek.

"I have not spoken to Puyol," said Del Bosque.

"I have only sent him a message to get well soon. We all hope that he recovers soon and reaches 100 international appearances."


SPAIN SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Jose Reina (Liverpool).

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

MIDFIELDERS: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla).

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

- mD