Valdes may be Spain's third choice 'keeper in South Africa...

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has received the most encouraging sign yet that he may feature at the World Cup in South Africa with Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque hinting that he may call upon the Catalan custodian.

Valdes' form for the Blaugrana over the past two seasons has intensified calls for him to be amongst the three goalkeepers chosen to represent the national team with some observers calling for him to replace Iker Casillas as number one.

Del Bosque has dismissed that notion, however, stating that he sees no reason to displace Casillas or second choice 'keeper Pepe Reina but he has noted that Villarreal shot stopper Diego Lopez's inclusion in the squad is by no means certain.

"I see no reason to dispense with Reina and Casillas. I cannot say the same for Diego Lopez, who has played less," Del Bosque noted, as reported by AS.

"We have a stable workforce if we overcome injuries, which there's been a lot of lately, but if we have to bring in someone new the good atmosphere will continue."