Madrid, May 14 (IANS) Spain coach Vicente del Bosque named a preliminary squad of 30 players for the FIFA World Cup finals which kicks off in Brazil next month.
As expected the veteran coach Tuesday included Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in his squad. De Gea was one of the few bright spots in English club's disappointing season and he replaces Victor Valdes, who misses the World Cup as the result of a cruciate knee ligament injury, reports Xinhua.
There are no major surprises in the squad, except perhaps the inclusion of Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal ahead of his club-mate Alvaro Arbeloa, who only returned to action after a long injury lay-off last weekend.
There is also a first call-up for Athletic club Bilbao midfielder, Ander Iturraspe, who has enjoyed a magnificent season, helping his side finish fourth in the BBVA Primera Liga.
The coach of the reigning World champions will reduce his list to 23 players Sunday, May 25, a day after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League final in Lisbon.
He will have to make some tough decisions, especially regarding his strikers.
Two of Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente, David Villa or Fernando Torres can expect to be left out of the final squad.
Spain kick off the their title defence against 2010 beaten finalists the Netherlands in what could be a decisive match for the ambitions of both sides given that the team which finishes second in their group could meet host nation Brazil in the last 16.
Provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Napoles) David de Gea. (Manchester United).
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoles), Javier Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpiliciueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) y Alberto Moreno (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Club), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Silva (Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Manchester City).
Forwards: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente (Juventus).
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