Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has left Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta out of his squad for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Ukraine and friendly in the Netherlands.

Azpilicueta was the most notable omission from the 24-man squad, but Stamford Bridge teammates Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were both included.

Their returns came after they controversially missed Spain games in the autumn amid rancour between Spain and the Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.

Del Bosque told a news conference Azpilicueta's omission had been down to the strength of competition for places.

"We are well covered at left-back with Jordi Alba and Bernat -- we have enough players there and we preferred not to call him," the coach said.

"We rate him very highly, but the same thing also happened at right-back. There are lads who could be called up, but others are blocking their way."

Juventus centre-forward Alvaro Morata was rewarded for his recent goals in the Champions League and Serie A with a call-up ahead of other options including Paco Alcacer, Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Torres.

"As a young player, he has his dips. There were some games when he was not so good, but now it seems he is better," Del Bosque said.

"We have a lot of hope placed in him. I believe he is the future of the national team, but we must think about the present and we believe in him for this moment."

Having been shocked by leaders Slovakia earlier in the campaign, defending Euro champions Spain are second in Group C on nine points from four games.

That is the same tally as a Ukraine side Del Bosque said would be strengthened by their club sides' recent exploits in the Europa League.

"I was watching Dynamo Kiev [in the Europa League] yesterday, and also Dnipro," he said. "Ukraine are based on these three big teams, along with Shakhtar Donetsk, and that is the base of the team.

"It seems routine to talk up the opponent, but in this case we are talking about a very good national team. We have a lot to play for -- three points would be fantastic, a big step forward towards qualification."

In a squad stretched to 24 names with Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets remaining a doubt because of an ankle problem, Sevilla's in-form Vitolo is the one new outfield player.

"We have brought him due to how he has been coming along recently," Del Bosque said. "He has been playing well with Sevilla and can be useful to us on the left wing."

He also praised Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, saying he deserved his first senior call-up.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal).

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Madrid), Juanfran Torres (Atletico), Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (Barca), Sergio Ramos (Madrid), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Jordi Alba (Barca), Juan Bernat (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Barca), Sergio Busquets (Barca), Mario Suarez, Koke (Atletico), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Vitolo (Sevilla), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), David Silva (Manchester City), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Isco (Madrid).

Forwards: Diego Costa (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Alvaro Morata (Juventus).