Xavi and Xabi Alonso primed for France test

Both players have overcome their respective physical problems and may have convinced Del Bosque that they should start Tuesday's meeting with France.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque attempted to conceal any plans he has about who might feature in his starting line-up against France on Tuesday. In Sunday's training session, the coach put 22 of his players through their paces without giving anything away. Reporters were able to see Xavi Hernández and Xabi Alonso taking a more active part in the penultimate workout before they take on the team sitting at the top of their qualifying section.
Wearing orange bibs throughout the 50-minute session, Xavi and Xabi trained at the same pace as their team mates at the Ciudad de Fútbol. The Barcelona midfielder is reported to have made a full recovery from the thigh muscle sprain which kept him out of last weekend's league meeting with Rayo Vallecano. Del Bosque has reserved Xabi Alonso as a precaution, to make sure that the groin strain problems he has been experiencing on-and-off during the past two months don't resurface.
The Spain coach could make four changes to the side which were held to a 1-1 daw by Finland last week. Jordi Alba and David Silva are unavailable but Monreal, Pedro, Xavi and Xabi Alonso could start in Saint-Denis.
Del Bosque has one last opportunity to put the finishing touches to his gameplan in Monday's training session. The squad made their way from La Rozas to Barajas airport at 16:45 CET and are due to fly out to Paris at 18:00 local time.