Del Bosque calls up Thiago for Italy friendly

MADRID (AFP) - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque could hand Thiago Alcantara a first full cap after calling the Barcelona midfielder into his 22-man squad for a friendly against Italy on August 10.

Thiago, who was born in Italy and is the son of former Brazil World Cup winner Mazinho, was part of the Spain under-21 side that won the European championship in June and recently extended his contract with Barcelona by two years to 2015.

Del Bosque warned that Thiago, 20, could yet be selected by Brazil because friendlies are not considered official matches. As soon as he plays for either national team officially at senior level, he cannot play for any other.

Del Bosque's World and European champions will be without several regulars for the encounter in Bari including Barcelona defender Carles Puyol (injured), Joan Capdevila, Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Marchena.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao).

Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).

Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), David Villa (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla).