Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has explained his reasons for picking Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

It came as a surprise when the back-up Madrid centre-back was called into the squad, but Del Bosque has been full of praise for the 23-year-old.

"Why? Because the last time I saw him I liked him. He has anticipation with much sense, he has pace and plays simple, without complicating moving the ball," he told AS.

"He can also play at centre-back or full-back. He must have something for [Jose] Mourinho to take him into the first team at Madrid and for [Carlo] Ancelotti and [Zinedine] Zidane to have kept him. He is also a kid who has been through every youth level with the national team."

Nacho has made just 17 first-team appearances for Madrid.