Del Bosque: Casillas ready to play
© AFP
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque said that Iker Casillas is fit and desperate to play again for his country despite not having played a competitive match for nearly five months. The 32-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper suffered a hand injury in January that kept him out for two months and then failed to recover his place in the side for the rest of the season as Jose Mourinho kept faith with Diego Lopez.
However, he is expected to return on Saturday as Spain begin their preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup later this month with a friendly against Haiti in Miami.
"Casillas is desperate to play, we have seen him as he always is," Del Bosque said. "We haven't seen any deterioration in his physical condition. Apparently he feels fine."
The bigger question for Del Bosque will be whether to stick with Casillas as his first-choice once the Confederations Cup gets underway or retain Victor Valdes in goal after his fine performance in the win over France in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying back in March.
Meanwhile, the Spanish coach also has to decide on who he will play up front with Cesc Fabregas,Fernando Torres, David Villa and Roberto Soldado all fighting for the one place in the side.
And Torres believes the flexibility between having Fabregas play as a false nine or a more traditional centre-forward like himself, Villa or Soldado is good for the side.
"We can play in many different ways, but what we have to try and do is understand what option the manager wants from us because we all want to play, but if it is not like this then we have to accept it and wait for the opportunity."
Torres has also just been recalled to the squad after being dropped due to his indifferent form at club level earlier in the campaign and he believes he is now in good shape having guided Chelsea to the UEFA Europa League towards the end of the season.
"I have finished very well, both on a personal level and for my club, I'm left with a good taste in my mouth and I am here to win another trophy. We want to win the Confederations Cup because it is the one thing that this generation lacks."