Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has fuelled speculation that Brazilian-born Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will be called up for the world champions two remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa celebrates after scoring during their Spanish league match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on September 28, 2013
Del Bosque will name his squad for the games against Belarus and Georgia on October 11 and 15 respectively on Friday with Spain needing just four points to guarantee their place in next year's finals.
Costa has started the season in fantastic form and his eighth league goal in just seven matches was enough to hand Atletico a memorable 1-0 win over arch city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.
That goal brought him level with Lionel Messi as La Liga's top goalscorer this season with his return in front of goal meaning Diego Simeone's men have barely missed the departed Radamel Falcao.
And Del Bosque is also convinced that his volatile nature wouldn't be a liability heading into the World Cup.
"He is doing well enough to be called up and his character wouldn't be a problem. He gives me the impression that he is a good guy. He has great spirit," Del Bosque told Spanish television station Cuatro.
Costa is eligible to play for La Roja on residency grounds having lived in Spain since 2007.
The 24-year-old made two appearances for his native country earlier this year in friendlies against Italy and Russia, but he can still represent Spain as he hasn't played in a competitive match at senior level.
"If we call him up we are almost obligated to take him to the World Cup, but we still don't know if we can call him up or not.
"On Friday there will be a squad announcement and we will take those that are suitable. It will be a sporting decision," he added.
Centre-forward is the one position Spain have been found wanting in recent years with Del Bosque choosing to play Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas in a somewhat unusual role up front as the form and fitness of David Villa and Fernando Torres has waned.
However, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has criticised the potential move, claiming that the rules governing which countries a player may represent are outdated.