Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque holding the World Cup trophy Spain manager Vicente del Bosque on Tuesday named the uncapped David de Gea, Dani Carvajal and Ander Iturraspe in his provisional list of 30 players for the World Cup in Brazil next month. Del Bosque will announce his final squad of 23 players to defend the trophy they won for the first time four years ago on May 25, a day after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have disputed the Champions League final in Lisbon.
Manchester United's De Gea replaces the injured Victor Valdes as the third-choice goalkeeper, whilst Carvajal and Iturraspe are rewarded for their excellent seasons with Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao respectively by offering cover in defence and midfield.
Nationalised Brazilian striker Diego Costa is included among the forwards after scoring 36 goals this season which have propelled Atletico to the brink of a Champions League and La Liga double.
Costa is one of four Atletico players included along with right-back Juanfran, midfielder Koke and Spain's all-time leading goalscorer at international level David Villa.
Chelsea's Fernando Torres is also included despite another difficult season at club level as are Juventus' Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City with only one likely to make the final cut.
Barcelona remain the most represented club with seven players from the Catalan club selected, including Andres Iniesta who scored the winner in the World Cup final back in 2010.
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli/ITA), David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich/GER), Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Tiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG)
Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus/ITA), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG)
Source: AFP