Thiago Alcantara Called Into Spain Squad; Javi Martínez Still Absent

Thiago Alcantara is part of the Spain national team squad for its upcoming matches against England and Belgium in the November international break.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is receiving consecutive call-ups to from Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for the first time in his career, his fourth call-up overall. Thiago played for the first time in a year and a half for Spain in their final UEFA European Championship qualifier against Ukraine in October.

Thiago has been on a terrific run of form in a Bayern kit, pulling the strings in midfield and plopping in six assists on the season in all competition. His start against Ukraine came with several squad players for Spain, with Cesc Fàbregas, Juan Mata, and Andres Iniesta getting the start in Spain's qualification-clinching victory against Luxembourg. The friendly nature of Spain's next two matches may be the opportunity Thiago needs to establish himself as one of del Bosque's primary options.

The notable omission from the Spain squad is Javi Martínez, who last played for Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 26-year-old defender had to rest at the end of October after problems surfaced with his surgically-repaired knee, but he played in each of Bayern's last three matches. Usually deep in the center of defense, the Spain squad only has three center backs, del Bosque calling in seven defenders overall while carrying three strikers and 11 midfielders.

Here is the full Spain squad for the international break:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (FC Porto), David de Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Mario Gaspar (Villarreal), Gerrard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran Torres (Atlético Madrid)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke (Atlético Madrid), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea), Mikel San José (Athletic Bilbao), Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Paco Alcacer (Valencia), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Isco (Real Madrid), Álvaro Morata (Juventus), Nolito (Celta Vigo)