Gerard Deulofeu has been called up for Spain ahead of a friendly with Bolivia which will serve as preparation for the World Cup finals.
The Barcelona forward has been selected as reward for an impressive loan spell at Everton this season, with the match against the Bolivians offering him a chance to earn a place in the squad which will compete in Brazil.
Vincente Del Bosque, the Spain head coach, was yesterday expected to trim his provisional 30-man squad for the finals to 23 but has instead opted to name 19 players for Friday's friendly match. Players from Real and Atletico Madrid which had been called up into the provisional group earlier this month are omitted after Saturday's Champions League final, with Del Bosque choosing to wait until June 2 to finalise his squad.
"Until June 2 we do not need to give the final list to FIFA so why do it ahead of time?" said Del Bosque. His decision means the likes of Diego Costa - the Atletico striker who pulled out of the final early as the result of a hamstring problem - has more time to get fit for the tournament.
Deulofeu is the main beneficiary of the delay and he is now first in line should Del Bosque choose to alter his attacking options. "We trust him and if someone were to pull out tomorrow he would be top of the list," added the Spain coach.
Uncapped Athletic Bilbao defensive midfielder Ander Iturraspe remains in the squad, while Chelsea striker Fernando Torres and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata have a final chance to earn their places in Brazil. The pair had been considered likely to miss the cut.
Manchester City players Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo were both named in the 30-man squad but will not face Bolivia.
Spain (squad to play Bolivia on Friday) Pepe Reina, David De Gea, Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alberto Moreno, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Santi Cazorla, Ander Iturraspe, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata, David Silva, Pedro Rodriquez, Fernando Torres, Gerard Deulofeu.
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