Real Madrid striker Marco Asensio will compensate for the absence of Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, who was called up but was injured on Saturday, according to what the national team announced in a statement on Sunday.

Marco Asensio

Asensio will join the "La Roja" squad on Monday, ahead of a friendly match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, then against Switzerland and Germany on November 14 and 17, respectively, in the European Nations League competitions.

Asensio returns to his country after an absence of more than a year. National coach Luis Enrique summoned Asensio (24 years old) to the squad last September, but left due to a tumor in his knee.

Asensio, who played 24 matches for the senior national team, missed most of the 2019-2020 season after suffering a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament and the outer meniscus of his left knee during a friendly match against Arsenal in Miami in July of last year.

He underwent surgery in August 2019 and then began the rehabilitation process for an eight-month period, and he benefited from the suspension of competitions for nearly three months due to the outbreak of the new Corona virus, which enabled him to play LaLiga matches with the Royal Club after the appeal.

Asensio replaces the young player, Fanny, who suffered a torn cartilage in his left knee on Saturday.

Barcelona club did not specify the period of Fati’s absence, but the Spanish press expects him to be absent for more than a month and a half, and it may extend to five months if he undergoes surgery.