Diego Costa in, Morata out as Spain reveals pre-World Cup squad

Diego Costa has claimed a spot in Spain's 24-man squad over Alvaro Morata, the man who replaced him at Chelsea, ahead of a pair of friendlies later this month.

Costa has rediscovered himself following a sensational return to Atletico Madrid, but Morata has trended in the opposite direction, last finding the net in December.

Costa sat out the first half of the campaign as Atletico served out the remainder of a transfer embargo. He has since registered six goals and two assists in 13 appearances.

The Brazilian-born striker last featured for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on June 11. It was after that match that he revealed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's intention to dump him.

Costa eventually signed with former outfit Atletico after Chelsea signed Morata in a reported club-record £58-million deal. The 25-year-old has struggled to earn Conte's unconditional trust, with midseason signing Olivier Giroud handed the start in Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

Morata has scored just 12 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions.

His club teammate Marcos Alonso, however, received his first call-up from the national team, joining Valencia's Dani Parejo and Rodrigo as debutants in Julen Lopetegui's squad.

Spain will face Germany on March 23 and Argentina four days later in preparation for the World Cup in Russia.