Knill to meet striker target

Knill to meet striker target

Published May. 23, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been named in Spain's Under-21 squad for the European U21 Championship in Israel.

Senior internationals Isco and Thiago Alcantara are the notable inclusions in Julen Lopetegui's squad for next month's tournament.

The decision to include Malaga attacking midfielder Isco and Barcelona midfielder Thiago means they are now extremely unlikely to be included in Vicente del Bosque's senior squad for the Confederations Cup in Brazil later in June.

Spain U21s will be the defending champions and have also included Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel Robles - who has impressed on loan at Wigan - plus Bayer Leverkusen right-back Daniel Carvajal and Barcelona striker Cristian Tello in their 23-man squad.

ADVERTISEMENT

There is no place for Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu, which suggests he may travel to Turkey for the Under-20 World Cup later in June instead.

La Rojita have been drawn in the same group as Russia, Germany and Holland in the tournament which runs from June 5 to 18.

Spain Under-21 squad:

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Joel Robles (Atletico Madrid), Diego Marino (Villarreal).

Defenders: Martin Montoya (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Marc Muniesa (Barcelona), Daniel Carvajal (Bayer Leverkusen), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Gonzalez (Real Zaragoza).

Midfielders: Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona), Pablo Sarabia (Getafe), Ignacio Camacho (Malaga), Isco (Malaga), Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad), Sergio Canales (Valencia).

Forwards: Rodrigo (Benfica), Cristian Tello (Barcelona), Alvaro Vazquez (Getafe), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid).

The Celtic manager was found guilty by a Scottish Football Association disciplinary tribunal of entering the "playing zone" within 15 minutes of the final whistle of Celtic's 3-1 Scottish Premier League defeat by Motherwell last month while serving a three-match touchline ban.

Lennon's ban for breaking the SFA's rule 205, however, has been suspended until the end of next season and consequently he will be in the technical area against Hibernian as his side look to complete the domestic double.

The former Celtic skipper had seen a suspended three-match ban triggered by an SFA charge for using offensive language towards St Mirren captain Jim Goodwin.

Lennon revealed he had been summoned to the Fir Park match officials' room by referee Euan Norris after the second match of the suspension.

Lennon told Sky Sports after the match: "He called me into his room. It was about a number of things but we'll leave that confidential for now."

The SFA's website confirmed the Northern Irishman's latest punishment.

A statement said: "Mr Lennon was found in breach, with a one-match suspension applied. The tribunal suspended the sanction until the end of season 2013-14 and to take effect in the event that Mr Lennon is found in breach of rule 205 within that period."

Jarvis has signed for York while Knill does not expect Howe, last season's top scorer, to sign a new contract after his deal expired.

"We've spoken to quite a few forwards and I have a meeting with one," Knill told BBC South West Sport. "I'm hopeful we'll have more news next week.

"I spoke to Rene last week and I spoke to his agent on Monday, and if I'm honest it doesn't look as though Rene is coming back. We kind of knew at the end of the season that it'd be a position that we'd have to strengthen."

share