Barcelona midfielder Xavi has been left out of Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque’s squad for this month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.
The 30-year-old has not been risked for the double-header due to an Achilles tendon problem.
Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol (ankle) also misses out along with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who suffered a hamstring injury at Sunderland 13 days ago which was expected to sideline him for up to three weeks.
The world and European champions take on Lithuania in Del Bosque’s home town, Salamanca, on October 8 and then travel to Glasgow to take on the Scots four days later.
“We have two big games, which are both extremely dangerous,” Del Basque said. “This is a wake-up call for us. They are two difficult games.”
Spain squad
Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Valdes (Barcelona), Reina (Liverpool).
Defenders: Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Ramos (Real Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Pique (Barcelona), Marchena (Villarreal), Capdevila (Villarreal), Monreal (Osasuna).
Midfielders: Alonso (Real Madrid), Busquets (Barcelona), Cazorla (Villarreal), Iniesta (Barcelona).
Strikers: Pedro (Barcelona), Navas (Sevilla), Villa (Barcelona), Silva (Manchester City), Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Torres (Liverpool).