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Gerard Pique still has a future with Spain despite the Barcelona centre-back apparently being dropped for his country's two upcoming games, according to coach Vicente del Bosque, while striker Diego Costa is called up despite concerns over his fitness. - Train: Assessing Spain's World Cup failure Spain face France in a friendly in Paris on Sept. 4 before hosting Macedonia in Levante for their Euro 2016 qualifier four days later to mark the start of a new era for La Roja. Previous all-conquering stars David Villa, Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez have all retired from international football after the disastrous group exit at the summer's World Cup in Brazil. Uncapped players given the call include Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Raul Garcia, Valencia centre-forward Paco Alcacer, Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla and versatile Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose. Other youngsters included are Real Madrid duo Isco and Dani Carvajal and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe. There were no places for former mainstays including Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas, Jose Reina and Juan Mata, but the biggest surprise was the absence of Pique, 27, especially given the lack of other options at the back. Although Pique is expected to feature for Barcelona in their La Liga game at Villarreal on Sunday, the veteran coach said at Friday's news conference that the decision had been made on fitness grounds. "There are eight players from the World Cup who are not coming," Del Bosque said. "We have very fluid contact with [Pique]. We spoke recently and he was not fully recovered. He had some discomfort from his hip injury. He wants to keep coming with the national team, but at this moment we thought he should not come." Barcelona's once-capped Marc Bartra has been included, as well as Napoli's Raul Albiol, and Del Bosque admitted centre-back was a problem position for the team, saying he wanted to see how San Jose looked at close quarters. "We have a bit of a gap in that position, but there are players who are doing well with their clubs," he said. "We have weighed up what we have, and now we have called up (San Jose) to see how he does. This is a squad for the present, but looking to the future and the European Championship in two years' time." New Chelsea striker Costa has been named in the squad despite an apparent hamstring injury which endangers his participation in his club's Premier League game at Everton on Saturday. "They tell us it is just a bang," Del Bosque said. "[Costa] and the medical staff say he can come after the Premier League weekend." Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Valencia's Rodrigo might also have been given first senior call-ups but for injury issues, Del Bosque said. "[Ander] has some abductor muscle problems so we have not called him up," he said. "He has not played with his team. Rodrigo it seems has a light muscular issue, so we have not called him up." Long-serving captain Iker Casillas has been included in the squad, with Del Bosque now faced with a decision over whether to choose the Real Madrid player or Manchester United's David de Gea for the upcoming games. Squad Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Manchester United) and Kiko Casilla (Espanyol). Defenders: Juanfran Torres (Atletico), Dani Carvajal (Madrid), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbalo), Sergio Ramos (Madrid), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Jordi Alba (Barca), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea). Midfielders: Koke, Raul Garcia (Atletico), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic), Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez (all Barca), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Isco (Real Madrid). Forwards: Diego Costa (Chelsea) and Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
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