Spain Midfielder has played only 57 minutes this season

Once the Spain squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers had been made public Julen Lopetegui faced inevitable questions as to his selections, and the coach confirmed that despite his inactivity for Real Madrid, Isco was a player whom he liked and deserved his place.

Clearly there are some omissions that indicate the death knell for the international careers of those players, but the coach is steadfast in his belief in the squad of players that he has picked for the games against Italy and Albania.

"Isco has only played 57 minutes in the league, we can't hide that fact, but I like him," Lopetegui said.

The Real Madrid mans inclusion saw Atletico's Gabi not selected along with Paco Alcacer of Barcelona, two players who perhaps could've expected a call up.

"On Alcacer, it's just a decision we decided to come to and the same with Gabi because he has been fantastic the past few seasons - but we wanted to take a look at other players," the coach continued.

Cess Fabregas isn't enjoying the best of seasons domestically with Chelsea and missing for the second squad running will be a hammer blow for the player.

"It's true that I'd like him to have played a little more at Chelsea, but there are many players who we like and I can't pick everyone," was Lopetegui's explanation.

Aymeric Laporte, who was certainly on the radar for Spain is now unselectable given that he has been called up by France, but the return of Andres Iniesta and the continuing emergance of Koke is cause for optimism.

"The return of Andres is great news for us, he is a major player and we will need the best for these matches.

"I trust Koke fully, he had a great game against Bayern and is performing at a high level," the coach concluded.