Chelsea's Diego Costa left out of Spain's provisional Euro 2016 squad

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James Benge17 May 2016

Diego Costa has been left out of the provisional Spain squad for Euro 2016.

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla was among the other high-profile absentees from Vicente del Bosque’s 25-man selection, but it will be the absence of the Chelsea forward that provokes the most debate in Spanish circles.

A hamstring injury ruled Costa out for the final two games of the season, prompting fears that he could miss the tournament, and Del Bosque has chosen not to gamble on the fitness of the 27-year-old.

Costa suffered a similar injury ahead of the 2014 World Cup when playing for Atletico Madrid and was found to be severely lacking in fitness during the tournament as the reigning champions fell out at the group stage.

Alvaro Morata, Aritz Aduriz and Noltio will now be the three contenders to play as Spain’s No.9.

However, Spain’s 2012 triumph saw Del Bosque playing without a recognised centre-forward, deploying Cesc Fabregas as his most advanced midfielder.

Fabregas, Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta are three Chelsea representatives in Spain’s provisional squad, from whom two players must be cut before the end of the month.

David De Gea and David Silva are the only other players based in England to make the squad, with Cazorla missing out having made just one start for Arsenal since picking up a knee ligament injury on November 29.

Exclusion from the preliminary party does not necessarily end Costa or Cazorla’s hopes of participating at Euro 2016 as Del Bosque has until May 31 to formally announce his travelling party for the championship.

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