Soccer-De Gea dropped from Spain squad, Brentford's Raya gets maiden call-up

(Reuters) - Manchester United's David de Gea has been dropped from Spain's squad for this month's friendlies against Albania and Iceland, while Brentford goalkeeper David Raya received a maiden call-up to the national team.

De Gea last played for Spain in October 2020, but was included in their squad for World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Sweden in November.

Raya, who has kept five clean sheets this season, missed a significant portion of the campaign due to a knee injury, but made his return to the Brentford side in February.

"He has been doing very well for a long time and I'm really looking forward to seeing him in the context of the national team," coach Luis Enrique said.

"He's good in goal, he manages game situations well with the ball at his feet ... he has a high level."

Spain, who won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finished top of their group in qualifying with 19 points, ahead of second-placed Sweden, to book their spot at the World Cup finals in Qatar.

Spain host Albania on March 26 and Iceland on March 29.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Brentford), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Diego Llorente (Leeds), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Rodri (Manchester City), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Valencia).

Forwards: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Pablo Sarabia (Sporting Lisbon), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Raul de Tomas (Espanyol), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal).

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in