Madrid, Oct 7 (IANS) Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has called Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez and Swansea City striker, Miguel Perez Cuesta ‘Michu’ for the last two World Cup qualifying matches.
Spain will host Belarus Friday and Georgia, Oct 15, knowing that just one win will assure their place in the 2014 World Cup and allow them to win the title. Belarus are the bottom placed team behind Georgia, reports Xinhua.
Martinez replaces Raul Albiol, who was forced to pull out of the original squad, which Del Bosque named Friday. Albiol has rested due to a torn muscle.
Meanwhile Michu, receives his first ever call up to replace David Villa, who was forced to limp out of Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 win at home to Celta Vigo Sunday with problems in his left ankle.
The 27-year-old has been on the verge of a call up for around a year following his exception performances for Rayo Vallecano in the 2011-12 season when he scored 15 league goals in 37 appearances.
That didn’t earn him the chance to represent his country, but did see him move to the Barclays Premier League, where he has netted 20 goals in 42 league matches as well as helping the Welsh side to win last season’s League Cup.
Michu’s call up comes because the paperwork allowing Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian born striker, Diego Costa to play for Spain still has not been completed.
Del Bosque spoke last week about his desire to call the player, who has only made two appearances in friendly games, into his squad and on Sunday Costa also spoke out.
“Although I was born in Brazil, Spain has given me everything. I have made my decision and all we need now is for the paperwork to be sorted out,” said Costa, who is not the top scorer in the Spanish league after scoring his side’s goals in the win against Celta.