Morientes left out of Spain squad

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has been left out of Spain's 23-man squad for next month's World Cup Finals in Germany.

The 30-year-old, who played in the last two World Cups and has been a regular in the national team since 1998, will not travel to Germany, with coach Luis Aragones deciding instead to take an extra defender, Valencia's Carlos Marchena.

There are six Premiership players in Aragones' squad, including Morientes' Liverpool team-mates Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, Arsenal duo Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea full-back Asier del Horno.

Aragones will take just four strikers to the showpiece in Morientes' absence - Reyes, Fernando Torres, Raul and David Villa.

Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta has been rewarded for his impressive form in La Liga and the Champions League this season. Aragones has left out Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja but has included Real Madrid captain Raul and Barcelona midfielder Xavi, who have both recovered from serious injuries suffered earlier in the season.

Brazil-born midfielder Marcos Senna, who was recently awarded Spanish nationality, has also earned a place after a solid season with Villarreal.

Spain squad for the 2006 World Cup is:

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Jose Reina (Liverpool); Michel Salgado, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Juanito (Real Betis), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Asier del Horno (Chelsea); David Albelda (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Real Betis), Luis Garcia (Liverpool); Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia).