Tuesday 4 October 2016 00:08, UK
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has been rewarded for his recent good form with a call-up to the Spain squad for the first time.
The 27-year-old is set to join Julen Lopetegui's side on Tuesday ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers against Italy and Albania.
Herrera has earned praise from Jose Mourinho in recent weeks after displacing Marouane Fellaini to force his way into the United boss' starting line-up alongside Paul Pogba in central midfield.
"Ander can be an important player for us, because we play with four attacking players plus Paul [Pogba] who likes a lot to go to different positions, to try and create," Mourinho said.
"But we need a player like Ander because he is very fast on the defensive transition, he can give us the security we need, especially against fast counter attacks."
Lopetegui has called Herrera up as cover Thiago Alacantara and Saul Niguez, who are both struggling with knocks. Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez has also been forced to withdraw from the squad.
Herrera has previously represented Spain at U20, U21 and U23 level.
