MADRID: Spain have called up Samu Omorodion for their Nations League matches against Denmark and Switzerland after the 20-year-old striker’s superb start to the season with Portuguese side Porto while Barcelona’s Marc Casado has also been named.

Omorodion, who played for Spain at the Olympics, has earned his first call-up to the senior team. He joined Porto in the close season and has since scored 11 goals in as many games in the Portuguese league and the Europa League.

Coach Luis de la Fuente said: “At the age of 20 he has football potential. He burst on to the scene in a way that has attracted attention. It’s time to give him continuity.”

Casado has become the linchpin in Barcelona’s midfield, with the 21-year-old La Masia graduate seamlessly stepping into the side after Hansi Flick’s squad was hit by injuries.

De la Fuente: “It’s all thanks to his confidence, commitment and ability. There are very good players who need that kind of demand to shine. He is ready, but he still has room for improvement.

“Barcelona is doing a fantastic job. It’s about giving opportunities. Young talented players are capable of not failing – this is good for Spanish football.”

Barca teammate Pau Cubarsi has been left out after the 17-year-old suffered a facial injury in their Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade, with Athletic Bilbao centre back Aitor Paredes being named in his place.

Striker Alvaro Morata was rushed to hospital after suffering a head injury while training with his club AC Milan but De la Fuente said their 32-year-old skipper is fine, adding: “He suffered a hard blow. A protocol must be followed but he is fit.”

Defending champions Spain have 10 points and have already advanced to the quarter-finals but have not yet secured top spot in the group. They are three points ahead of Denmark in second place.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Alex Remiro, Robert Sanchez

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Oscar Mingueza, Daniel Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Torres, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Aitor Paredes

Midfielders: Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Marc Casado

Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ayoze Perez, Samu Omorodion, Bryan Zaragoza.

Italy absentees

Italy centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia have been left out of Luciano Spalletti’s squad for this month’s Nations League matches with Belgium and France through injury.

Arsenal’s Calafiori suffered a knee problem in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk last month, while AC Milan’s Gabbia has a calf injury.

Spalletti on Friday also did not include AS Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was sent off in the 2-2 draw with Belgium last month, nor Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli.

Fiorentina centre-back Pietro Comuzzo, Juve right back Nicolo Savona and Lazio midfielder Nicolo Rovella, who has made a strong start to the season, have been called up for the first time.

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is back in the squad after missing out in October while undergoing nose surgery.

Italy top Group A2 with 10 points from four games, a point ahead of France, with Belgium third on four. Italy visit the Belgians on Thursday before hosting France three days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret, Guglielmo Vicario

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, Andrea Cambiaso, Pietro Comuzzo, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Federico Dimarco, Federico Gatti, Caleb Okoli, Nicolo Savona, Destiny Udogie

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi, Niccolo Pisilli, Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Rovella, Sandro Tonali

Forwards: Moise Kean, Daniel Maldini, Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui.

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