Spain summon stars for France friendly

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque on Friday announced a strong squad for their friendly international against France at the Stade de France in Paris next Wednesday.

England exiles Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Liverpool pair Jose Reina and Fernando Torres are in the squad of 23 along with Real Madrid stars Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso and Barcelona’s Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Villarreal’s Brazil-born defensive midfielder Marcos Senna returns after missing the European champions’ last three matches, largely due to injury.

The strength of the squad suggests it is close to the group Del Bosque will take to the World Cup in South Africa from June 11-July 11, but the coach insists nothing has been decided.

“It’s not a list set in stone for the World Cup, it’s a list for the game on Wednesday against France,” Del Bosque said, conceding that his World Cup squad would be “relatively similar to this one”.

Del Bosque added that the meeting with Raymond Domenech’s France was not a question of “life or death” but would allow him to evaluate “the level” of his team against world-class opposition.

The former Real Madrid coach also played down suggestions his side were favourites to win the match.

“That doesn’t hold any truth when you’re talking about a very strong, very powerful France team,” he said.

“They’re a well-organised team. The difficulties they had during qualification (for the World Cup) don’t paint a true picture.”

Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal)

Defenders: Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa (all Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol (both Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia)

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta (all Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevilla)

Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Juan Manuel Mata, David Villa (both Valencia), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)