MADRID, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has called Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia into his squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches away to Bulgaria and Türkiye.

28-year-old Garcia replaces FC Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who has been forced to withdraw from the 23-man squad after suffering problems in his right knee during training on Friday.

Former Girona midfielder Garcia has played five times for Spain, making his debut against Cyprus in 2023. Although he hasn't played since, after failing to make De la Fuente's squad for the 2024 European Championships, he was called up for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands in March. ■