Austria's Ivanschitz overlooked again for Spain friendly

VIENNA (Reuters) - Former captain Andreas Ivanschitz was again overlooked by Austrian coach Didi Constantini for their friendly against European champions Spain despite his impressive form in the Bundesliga.

Ivanschitz, who has not been selected since Constantini took over earlier this year, was left out on Friday from of the squad for the match on Nov. 18.

Constantini has argued that Austria -- who failed to qualify for next year's World Cup finals South Africa -- have improved without Ivanschitz and bringing him back would disrupt the team. Despite this, he praised the Mainz 05 player.

"He gives a full effort for 90 minutes, scores goals and lays goals on. He is certainly one of Austria's best players," Constantini told the Austrian federation's website (www.oefb.at).

"It would be easy to give Andreas Ivanschitz a recall, then if we lose against Spain, one can say that we lost with him in the team. But that would not be the right thing to do."

Uncapped Austria Vienna goalkeeper Robert Almer was named in the squad.

Goalkeepers: Robert Almer (Austria Vienna), Christian Gratzei (Sturm Graz), Helge Payer (Rapid Vienna)

Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic (Austria Vienna), Gyorgy Garics (Atalanta), Manuel Ortlechner (Austria Vienna), Juergen Patocka (Rapid Vienna), Paul Scharner (Wigan Athletic), Franz Schiemer (Salzburg)

Midfielders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Julian Baumgartlinger (Austria Vienna), Daniel Beichler (Sturm Graz), Christopher Drazan (Rapid Vienna), Christian Fuchs (VfL Bochum), Andreas Hoelzl (Sturm Graz), Jakob Jantscher (Sturm Graz), Zlatko Junuzovic (Austria Vienna), Veli Kavlak (Rapid Vienna), Yasin Pehlivan (Rapid Vienna)