Spain restore key players but leave four out for England Nations League clash

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has finalised his squad for Sunday evening’s Nations League meeting with England at the Metropolitano in Madrid.

Jorge de Frutos, Roberto Fernandez, Como defender Jacobo Ramon and Real Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles have been left out of the matchday selection. Alejandro Grimaldo is also unavailable after leaving the squad with flu, according to Spanish network COPE.

De la Fuente has brought back several senior players who missed Spain’s 2-0 victory over Czechia, opting for greater experience for the decisive Group C fixture in League A.

Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal are both available again after returning to the Spain camp in Madrid. Their inclusion gives De la Fuente additional attacking options against England.

Yamal did not travel to Prague for the match against Czechia as he recovered from a knee injury, while Oyarzabal remained in San Sebastian for the birth of his second child. Both players have since joined up with the squad and can feature on Sunday.

Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte have also returned after missing the previous match. Laporte’s availability has resulted in Ramon, one of the newcomers to the current Spain squad, being omitted from the final selection.

Valles has moved back to his usual position as Spain’s fourth-choice goalkeeper and is again outside the matchday squad, having also been left out against Czechia. De Frutos and Roberto Fernandez have lost their places following the return of Spain’s first-choice attacking options.

Yamal will wear the number 10 shirt, which Victor Munoz used during the Czechia game, while Oyarzabal returns to number 21.

The match carries major significance at the top of the group. Spain lead with 15 points, three ahead of second-placed England, meaning the result will determine who finishes first.

A draw will be enough for Spain to secure top spot. England must win to draw level on points with their opponents, with goal difference in the head-to-head meetings and other criteria coming into consideration if the teams finish level.

Spain secured a 2-0 win over Czechia in the fifth round of group matches, while England beat Croatia 2-1 on the same matchday.

The reverse fixture at Wembley in London ended in a 3-2 win for Spain in an eventful contest.