Alvaro Negredo will replace injured striker David Villa for Spain's final two World Cup qualifiers, the European champion announced on Tuesday.The Sevilla striker will join the rest of the squad on Wednesday in preparation for Saturday's match at Armenia and the Group 5 finale at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Oct. 14.
Negredo, who joined Sevilla from Real Madrid in a 15-million euro (C$23.4 million) move this summer, has been on the cusp of a call-up since scoring 32 goals over the past two seasons at Almeria. He has two goals in six appearances this season.
Villa, who is Spain's second all-time leading scorer with 33 goals from 52 appearances, suffered a leg injury in weekend league play and is out for three weeks.