Spain manager Vicente del
Bosque has fuelled speculation that Brazilian-born Atletico Madrid striker
Diego Costa will be called up for the world champions two remaining World Cup
qualifiers.
Del Bosque will name his squad
for the games against Belarus and Georgia on October 11 and 15 respectively on
Friday with Spain needing just four points to guarantee their place in next
year's finals.
Costa has started the season in
fantastic form and his eighth league goal in just seven matches was enough to
hand Atletico a memorable 1-0 win over arch city rivals Real Madrid on
Saturday.
That goal brought him level with
Lionel Messi as La Liga's top goalscorer this season with his return in front
of goal meaning Diego Simeone's men have barely missed the departed Radamel
Falcao.
And Del Bosque is also convinced
that his volatile nature wouldn't be a liability heading into the World Cup.
'He is doing well enough to be
called up and his character wouldn't be a problem. He gives me the impression
that he is a good guy. He has great spirit,' Del Bosque told Spanish television
station Cuatro.
Costa is eligible to play for La
Roja on residency grounds having lived in Spain since 2007.
The 24-year-old made two appearances
for his native country earlier this year in friendlies against Italy and
Russia, but he can still represent Spain as he hasn't played in a competitive
match at senior level.
'If we call him up we are almost
obligated to take him to the World Cup, but we still don't know if we can call
him up or not.
'On Friday there will be a squad
announcement and we will take those that are suitable. It will be a sporting
decision,' he added.
Centre-forward is the one
position Spain have been found wanting in recent years with Del Bosque choosing
to play Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas in a somewhat unusual role up front
as the form and fitness of David Villa and Fernando Torres has waned.
However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe
Scolari has criticised the potential move, claiming that the rules governing
which countries a player may represent are outdated.
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