England, Belgium friendlies a chance for Spain to shine

England beat Spain 1-0 in their last encounter thanks to Frank Lampard's second-half strike in a Wembley friendly, and Roy Hodgson's side head into Friday's game full of confidence after a ideal 10 wins from 10 in their European qualification campaign.

When asked if after having successfully poached Costa from Brazil he wishes the RFEF had done the same with Messi, Del Bosque said: "There was an attempt to do that at the time but he made a decision to stick with the country of his birth; he remained steadfast". Del Bosque said he was content with how both new boys were settling with the team.

Rooney also revealed that he had voted for Costa as the player of the year last season because he felt that the Brazilian-born striker was an asset for Chelsea with his goal scoring skills and aggression.

In front of him, however, Del Bosque is ridiculously spoilt for choice with a wealth of hugely talented players at his disposal, and the identity of the starters is by no means clear. The Spain team is much changed from the side which dominated the world with three consecutive major trophies in 2008, 2010 and 2012, with the worldwide retirement of Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and, above all, the chief on-field conductor, Xavi.

"England have a team with great potential and are individually very strong", Del Bosque told a news conference ahead of the game at Alicante's Jose Rico Perez stadium.

"We knew what Diego Costa was like when we brought him over and we believe in him".

De Marcos, who plays for Athletic Bilbao, was called into the squad on Monday as cover for the injured Juanfran and will hope to win his first cap against England in Alicante on Friday or against Belgium in Brussels four days later. We also had five players from Liverpool at one point, for example: Reina, Arbeloa, Xabi, Torres, Luis García. He'll have tests [on Saturday] to see how he is. "It is important for us to have a player at this level, with a fantastic career".

Del Bosque has always been one of Costa's most ardent defenders but he did give him a ticking off when he left him out of Spain's last squad after his behaviour against Arsenal saw him pick up a three-match suspension.

"I wouldn't say he's obliged to come here or we're obliged to pick him", he said.

"I think it is just a progressive thing".