Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo edged Roberto Soldado for the final striker’s spot in defending champions Spain’s squad for Euro 2012 announced by coach Vicente del Bosque yesterday.

Negredo effectively fills the void of Spain’s record goal-scorer David Villa, who failed to recover from a broken tibia in time, after scoring 14 goals in La Liga in the season just finished.

Soldado misses out despite scoring 17 league goals as his form dipped dramatically in the latter stages of the season.

Barcelona’s Pedro was rewarded for doing exactly the opposite as his rich vein of form in the latter part of the season – including a double in Barca’s Spanish Cup final win over Athletic Bilbao on Friday – saw him make the squad.

“Pedro had an inconsistent season like others did,” said Del Bosque. “But we took into account certain aspects of his season. We looked at his season in its entirety.

“And also we need players out wide, wingers who are effective,” added Del Bosque of the 20102 World Cup winner.

Negredo will compete for places up front with Fernando Torres and Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente.

There are just four members of the 2008 squad missing, with Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila no longer in favour and talismanic defender Carles Puyol and Villa out because of injuries.

The midfield is dominated by Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta definite starters while Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets are also included.

However, Barcelona informed Del Bosque that Fabregas will need up to 10 days to recuperate from the pulled right thigh muscle he suffered in the Spanish Cup final.

“The doctors are optimistic in his case,” said Del Bosque.

“It is an injury from which he should recover pretty quickly, although it did give me pause for thought when I came to select the definitive squad.”

In defence Del Bosque named Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran in place of the injured Andoni Iraola, who had an outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.

Spain squad
Goalkeepers: Casillas (R. Madrid); Reina (Liverpool); Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Juanfran (A. Madrid); Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos (all R. Madrid); Alba (Valencia); Pique (Barcelona); Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (R. Madrid); Cazorla (Malaga); Xavi , Fabregas, Iniesta, Busquets (all Barcelona).

Forwards: Silva (Manchester City); Navas, Negredo (both Sevilla); Torres, Mata (both Chelsea); Pedro (Barcelona); Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).