AFP afpji

Spain call up teen star Krkic for French football test

Fri 01 Feb, 05:52 PM


MADRID (AFP) - Spanish coach Luis Aragones on Friday gave Barcelona's teen striker Bojan Krkic, just 17, his first full call up for the February 6 friendly against France.

At the same time, Aragones again left out Real Madrid veteran forward Raul for the French test.

Joining Krkic in the squad as a potential debutant is Mallorca's Fernando Navarro and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Explaining his reasons behind the call for Krkic, aragones said: "I want to see him in action in a match at this level but he already has established himself in the under-21 side and he is a very interesting player to keep tabs on."

Aragones has had to leave out Barcelona's defensive linchpin Carles Puyol, injured in a Spanish Cup encounter against Villarreal in midweek and out for a month.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool/ENG)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanito (Real Betis), Pablo (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool/ENG), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca)

Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/ENG), Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool/ENG), David Silva, David Albelda (Valencia), Albert Riera (Espanyol)

Strikers: David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Liverpool/ENG), Luis Garcia (Espanyol), Bojan Krkic (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca)