Diego Costa named in Spain squad despite fitness concerns

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque on Friday included Chelsea's Diego Costa in his squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg despite Jose Mourinho's concerns over the striker's fitness.
"He is playing all his games. If we thought he wasn't in playing condition, we wouldn't have called him," Del Bosque told a news conference at which he unveiled his 23-man squad.
Chelsea manager Mourinho has warned that his team's top scorer runs the risk of breaking down if the Brazil-born striker, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem for several weeks, is pushed too hard.
The Portuguese coach has insisted that Costa can only play one game a week, but he reacted to news of Costa's call-up by admitting that he was powerless to stop him playing for Spain.
"I have no reaction. It's not a surprise. It's something I imagined would happen," Mourinho told a press conference.
"If he can play three matches in a week, I think it's too much. But he is going to do that.
"What happens during the 15 days he is away with Spain is something that is out of my hands."
Del Bosque also included two uncapped players in his 23-man squad -- Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat and Valencia forward Rodrigo Moreno.
"Bernat and Rodrigo and performing well. They are players who should be in the national team during many years," he said.
Del Bosque is seeking to rejuvenate the national team following World Cup disappointment.
Spain won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. But the same core of players was overrun by the Netherlands and Chile in stinging losses to open this year's World Cup.
Del Bosque also recalled Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who was out injured for the friendly against France and the qualifier against Macedonia in September.
Spain face Slovakia on Thursday and at Luxembourg three days later, with both games away.
"There are no easy wins against anyone," Del Bosque said. "Slovakia and Luxembourg are teams with great stability."
Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG), Kiko Casilla (Espanyol)
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juan Bernat (Bayern Munich/GER)
Midfielders: Raul Garcia (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea/ENG), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG)
Forwards: Paco Alcacer (Valencia), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Chelsea/ENG)
Source: AFP