Spain Euro 2016 squad: high-profile absentees include Costa and Mata

SPAIN manager Vicente del Bosque has announced his preliminary 25-strong squad for this summer’s Euro 2016 tournament, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa, Manchester United’s Juan Mata and AC Milan’s Fernando Torres among the established names missing out.

Torres, who has spent the season on loan at boyhood club Atletico Madrid, has enjoyed a fine end to the season and will be particularly disappointed to have been overlooked, whereas Costa and Mata have endured below-par campaigns.

Costa is also injured at present, and Del Bosque confirmed he was not prepared to take a risk on him or Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla, who has only just returned from a long-term knee injury.

Paco Alcacer, who top-scored for Spain during qualifying, is also omitted in favour of 35-year-old Athletic Bilbao hitman Aritz Aduriz, who has only three caps since making his debut for the national team in 2010,  Atletico’s uncapped striker Saul Niguez, Juventus’ Alvaro Morata and Real Madrid’s uncapped youngster Lucas Vazquez.

Although Costa will not feature in France, Chelsea team-mates Cesar Azpilicueta, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas have been picked along with pint-sized Manchester City schemer David Silva and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

The reigning champions will be hoping to bounce back from their poor showing at World Cup 2014, where they crashed out of the competition after the group stage.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal (both Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Koke, Saul Niguez (both Atletico Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Isco (Real Madrid), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal)

Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)