Alba hoping to play part for Spain

Valencia defender Jordi Alba is desperate to take part in his first major international tournament this summer at the European Championships this summer.

Alba was included in Vicente del Bosque's preliminary 21-man Spanish squad on Tuesday for the friendly games against Serbia and South Korea later this month. and is expected to start at left-back for the World and European champions this summer after a fine season with Los Che.

Despite being eligible, the 23-year-old did not even make Spain's victorious under-21 European Championship squad this time last year and he is aware of how far he has come in just 12 months.

He told AS: "It would be a disappointment to not make the final Euro squad, but when I started the year I couldn't imagine being called up by Del Bosque, above all, because I was left out of the European under-21 tournament. I have played a lot of minutes and done well so to be in the first list is a reward and the Euros themselves would be brilliant."

Alba is also aware however of how much he can still improve and believes playing with some of the best players in the world in the national side is a great learning experience.

"All I want to say is that I will give the maximum effort in every game, I have given everything in every game because it is the only way to improve. I have tried my best, I have been quite consistent and to go to the Euros at 23 would be something incredible," he added.

"The national team is addictive. The treatment from the technical team and the players is exquisite. They make you feel very good and we are talking about the champions of the world. It is very easy to play with these teammates and once you see it, your wish is to return."