Euro 2008 qual. - Valencia midfielder Joaquin has returned to the fold and Osasuna striker Roberto Soldado hasneevn given a first-time call-up for Spain's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Liechtenstein.

Joaquin was named in a 20-strong party eight months after being dropped, despite making critical comments about the national team when he was omitted for the qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Sweden at the start of the season.

The 25-year-old, who has been capped 42 times, said that Spain were in disarray under coach Luis Aragones although he later backtracked on his comments.

His fine late-season form for Valencia has persuaded Aragones to forgive the winger for his comments and recall him.

Soldado had been drafted in to replace the injured Fernando Morientes who has been struggling with a thigh injury.

The former Real Madrid striker, who is one of the top-ranked Spanish strikers in the Primera Liga this season, took his tally for the season to 11 goals with a hat-trick in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Levante.

He will compete with David Villa and Fernando Torres for a place in the starting line-up. There was no place for Real Madrid skipper Raul who was dropped together with Joaquin last September.

Spain are in third place in Group F, three points behind Sweden and four adrift of leaders Northern Ireland who have played an extra game.

They have lost two of their five qualifiers to date, going down 3-2 to Northern Ireland in Belfast and slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Sweden in Solna at the start of the season.

Spain play Latvia in Riga on June 2 and meet Liechtenstein in Vaduz four days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool) Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Joan Capdevila (Deportivo Coruna), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Javi Navarro (Sevilla), Angel (Celta Vigo) Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Miguel Angel Angulo (Valencia), David Silva (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia), Joaquin (Valencia) Forwards: David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Roberto Soldado (Osasuna)