Diego
Costa has not been called up for Spain's upcoming friendlies against Italy
and Romania.
Chelsea team-mate Pedro, Juventus' Alvaro Morata, Athletic Bilbao's Aritz
Aduriz, Valencia's Paco Alcacer and Celta Vigo's Nolito were picked as
Spain's five forwards, and manager Vicente Del Bosque says Costa's exclusion
is due to an injury.
Sky Sports' Spanish expert Guillem Balague believes the striker has been put
'in the fridge' to cool down after recent controversy, and says he will have
to improve his behaviour to make the Euro 2016 squad.
No action will be taken against Costa following an alleged gesture he made
to Everton supporters during last week's FA Cup tie.
The 27-year-old still faces a misconduct charge for his reaction to his
84th-minute dismissal by referee Michael Oliver in the same game.
Balague told Sky Sports News HQ: "The main story is that Diego Costa has not
been called up. There's nothing wrong with him, but he has been put 'in the
fridge' so he can calm down a bit.
"That's what [Spain manager] Del Bosque feels he needs, he needs to think
about how he behaves.
"With the behaviour we have seen in previous weeks, he will not be called up
for the European Championship. It's up to him."
Spain face Italy on March 24 and Romania on March 27.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio
Rico (Sevilla)
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), Sergio
Ramos, Nacho (both Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran
(Atletico Madrid), Mario Gaspar (Villarreal)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto (both Barcelona), David Silva
(Manchester City), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Koke (Atletico Madrid),
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Isco (Real
Madrid), Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Forwards: Pedro (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic
Bilbao), Paco Alcacer (Valencia), Nolito (Celta Vigo)
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