Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says Alvaro Morata has benefitted from playing regularly at Juventus this season and suggested the youngster will start Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Ukraine.
Real Madrid-produced Morata struggled for playing time during his stint at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but since joining Juve for 20 million euros last summer he has scored 11 times in 29 appearances -- including goals in his last two appearances as the Old Lady qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals and moved into a 14-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.
With Chelsea striker Diego Costa missing through injury, reporters at the pregame news conference who had seen Morata featuring up front for the team at training received a further indication that the 22-year-old will receive just a third senior cap from the start.
"We have trained with all the players we have here, putting them in the position in which they are going to play, and we have a lot of expectations placed on Morata," Del Bosque said. "It has been good for him to gain rich experience going abroad. It is good that he is getting playing time."
Having been shocked by Group C leaders Slovakia last October, reigning European champions Spain are currently second in the table with nine points after four games -- level with a Ukraine side which Del Bosque says will be strengthened by the exploits in Europe this season of Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kiev and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
"It will be a match where we will have to attack, but we need balance," Del Bosque said. "Ukraine are a strong team, a good team, with the solid defensive base from Shakhtar, and up front good players from Dnipro and Dynamo Kiev. They know what they are playing for."
Uncapped squad members Juanmi, of Malaga, and Sevilla's Vitolo may have to wait for Tuesday's friendly against Netherlands to make their international debuts, although Del Bosque said he is always aware of the need to freshen up his side.
"We have kept a wide group of players from the past, but it was necessary to bring in some new blood," he said. "We have a group of players more or less made. But whenever we bring in a new player it is because we believe in him, not to experiment.
"[Juanmi] is fast and has always taken chances. [Vitolo] has joined up well, and although he was a little shy, it is easy to fit in here. He could make his debut, for sure."
Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who recently returned for his club after a month out due to a hamstring injury, is not quite 100 percent fit but is set to play against Ukraine.
"Sergio Ramos is fine, he has completed the training sessions," Del Bosque said. "He has a knock but I do not believe it will stop him playing. It is not life or death [the game], but it is important. A mistake would be very dangerous."
Ramos also told the pregame news conference that his former Madrid teammate Morata is ready to make an impact for Spain.
"Morata is a great player, with a lot of potential," he said. "He has been showing that for many years with the national team [youth ranks], has been rewarded for that and deserves to be here.
"He is scoring lots of goals for Juve. He is quick, holds the ball well, causes problems. He is good in the air, looks for space and to get in behind the defence. He is a very good option for the national team."
Ramos went on to joke about his international teammates -- but club rivals -- Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique.
"For me, Andres is the boyfriend that any mother wants [for her daughter]," Ramos said, before adding: "I'm delighted Pique is in good form for the national team. Not so much for Barcelona."