De La Fuente delighted to welcome Rodri back into Spain squad

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente revealed his delight at welcoming Rodri back into the squad for the March international break.

Rodri has struggled with injuries this season at Manchester City, which caused him to miss Spain's World Cup qualifiers in November against Georgia and Turkiye.

The 29-year-old has featured in 18 league games this term and five Champions League matches after suffering setbacks following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last season.

Rodri is one of the more experienced players in De La Fuente's squad to face Serbia and Egypt, with their Finalissima against Argentina cancelled, while Dani Carvajal missed out as he looks to regain fitness.

"We are pleased with Rodri's current form – he is a key player for us," said the Spain boss.

"We knew he was still regaining his best condition, and he will continue to improve.

"As for Carvajal, I expect him to be in even better shape by the time these fixtures arrive, and we hope he can be with us.

"He is a very important player, and we miss him greatly."

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has kept 11 clean sheets in 22 LaLiga games this season, received his first senior call-up, along with Arsenal's Cristhian Mosquera and Osasuna's Victor Munoz.

"He is an outstanding goalkeeper, and not someone we have only just discovered," De La Fuente said of Garcia.

"We have known him for a long time – he was an under-21 international with me. He is among the best goalkeepers in the world.

"He brings quality, professionalism and a strong presence within the group. He will push others to perform at their best.

"We are delighted to have him. The best news is that we have many players to choose from, even if that makes selection more difficult."

Spain squad in full: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), Joan Garcia (Barcelona); Marcos ⁠Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen); Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Carlos ⁠Soler (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona); Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).