Fabian and Aleix Garcia return to full training with Spain

The Spanish national team began to prepare with greater intensity for the first of the matches against the Netherlands for a place in the Nations League finals. The main novelty was the return of Fabian Ruiz to the group.

Coach Luis de la Fuente increased the duration of the training session, but very little in terms of intensity, concerned about the load of minutes and matches on the legs of the Spanish internationals. While Monday's afternoon session consisted of stretching and gentle running for the majority of the group, on Tuesday all 26 players worked at the same pace.

Among them is midfielder Fabian Ruiz, who tested his fitness on the pitch after being confined to the gym on Monday. He is carrying a slight niggle from the last few games with PSG, which will not prevent him from starting in Rotterdam on Thursday. "It's been two recovery training sessions and tomorrow will be a touch of contact without great demand," admitted goalkeeper Simon at the end of the training session.

They will help De la Fuente to give shape to the starting line-up he will field on Thursday. He will bring back Unai Simon in goal, for the first time since the wrist operation he underwent after winning Euro 2024, and also Robin Le Normand in the centre of defence. His partner will be either Pau Cubarsi or one of two possible debutants, Dean Huijsen or Raul Asencio.

The rest of the team, with the return of Lamine Yamal, looks set if the Spanish coach sticks to his usual line-up. With Martin Zubimendi, Fabian and Pedri in midfield, the presence of Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings, and captain Alvaro Morata up front.

De la Fuente has ruled out holding the final training session at the venue for the match, preferring instead to do so at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas. The training session will start at 11:00 on Wednesday, and after lunch they will travel to the Netherlands on a flight departing from Barajas at 17:00. At 20:00, the Spanish press conferences will take place at Feyenoord's home.