Roque, Viera, Suso and Iborra in Lopetegui's provisional list
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui is drawing up his list for this month's World Cup qualifier against Israel and the friendly against France in Paris on the 28th.
Julen Lopetegui has included Las Palmas pair Roque Mesa and Jonathan Viera, AC Milan's Suso and Sevilla's Iborra in his provisional list for both of Spain's engagements later this month - the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Israel in Gijón on 24 March, and a friendly against France, four days later in Paris.
Spain coach Lopetegui to announce squad list next Friday
Lopetegui is due to confirm his definitive 23-man squad list for both games on Friday 17th, but the players have already been notified that they may be called for international duty while LaLiga takes a break, a period when many players are given some time off to rest.
Milan's Suso could get first call-up for Spain
However, featuring in the provisional list does not automatically mean that all four will make the definitive list. Suso, for example, featured in Lopetegui's provisionary squad in November - the coach knows the player from their time together in Spain's youth categories, but the Milan midfielder has never been given a call-up for the senio side. Suso, who struggled to flourish at club level with Liverpool and Almería, appears to have come good at Milan where he has played 30 games this season, scored six and set up a further nine. He was also part of the Spain Under-19 side which were crowned European champions, under Lopetegui, in Estonia in 2012.
Las Palmas duo impress
Jonathan Viera and Roque Mesa meanwhile, are both enjoying a great season with Las Palmas and their performances have been noted at the Federation. At 27, Roque Mesa is in his prime and a leader in the centre of the park in Quique Setién's set-up; Jonathan Viera offers magic and creativity as he showed with a goal and an assist in the recent meeting at the Bernabéu.
Vicente Iborra has also caught the eye of Lopetegui and his technical team. The Sevilla midfielder has shown consistency under Unai Emery and now Sampaoli while the Andalucians forge ahead with their campaigns to win the league and Champions League.
Since taking over the reins of the national team, Lopetegui has handed three players their senior debuts with Spain: Saúl Ñíguez, Iago Aspas and Ander Herrera.
Follow the coverage match of World Cup 2018 qualifier : Spain vs Israel
