Spain coach Vicente del Bosque recalled Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez for a friendly against Portugal next week.

Torres and Xavi missed Spain’s last two matches – European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland – through injury.

Del Bosque said the match between the Iberian neighbours had “a very special significance” and that there was very little difference between the technical skill levels of the two teams.

“The Portuguese team is a magnificent selection, with players of the very highest level,” he said.

Del Bosque said he had attempted to include Spain’s best players for the match, including Xavi, although he said he was aware that the Barcelona midfielder may have to be eased into play.

“As ever, Xavi has shown his total availability to come with us,” Del Bosque said. “To harbour doubts about Xavi is not correct, we will attempt to play according to what is convenient.”

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol also return for the World Cup champions.

The friendly is to be played on 17 November at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

The squad is virtually the same as the one that won World Cup with only injured forward Sevilla winger Jesus Navas being replaced by Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)

Forwards: Juanma Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona)