Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta return to Spain squad ahead of England friendly

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata and Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta are the most notable returning names in the Spain squad for the forthcoming matches with Macedonia and England. Julen Lopetegui has been forced to make a number of changes in a squad heavily weakened by injuries to key players, including Barcelona trio Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba and Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.

Spain face a World Cup qualifier with Macedonia at home in Granada on 12 November before a friendly trip to Wembley three days later.

Real Madrid are the club with the most representatives in the squad, with five players in Nacho, Dani Carvajal, Isco, Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro Morata. Meanwhile, Barcelona only have two representatives this time in Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, due to the absences of Iniesta, Pique and Alba.

Lopetegui has also named eight Premier League players, including three from Manchester United in Mata, David De Gea and Ander Herrera. Chelsea have two representatives in Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta while Manchester City duo David Silva and Nolito have also made the cut.

Nacho Monreal is also on the list despite missing recent games for Arsenal duo to injury. However, Lopetegui said that the left-back is now completely recovered, adding that they have been told he will be ready for the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday (6 November).

"It's true that he [Monreal] didn't play in the Champions League [game against Ludogorets] but we have been assured that he is fully fit to play the next league game [against Tottenham]," Lopetegui explained.

Azpilicueta and Mata return to the squad after missing the previous World Cup qualifiers against Italy (6 October) and Albania (9 October).

The Chelsea defender has impressed in recent times, playing in the 3-man defence of Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 formation. He is expected to cover the absences of Pique and Ramos in the heart of the back-line.

Furthermore, Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is still not in the Spain senior squad, instead being named in the U21 side alongside Everton's Gerard Deulofeu. Barcelona's versatile Roberto and Real Madrid's Carvajal remain as first choices at right-back.