Arteta eyes World Cup call

Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta still believes he can earn a place in Spain's World Cup squad with a first-ever international call-up.

The 28-year-old playmaker has been constantly overlooked by the European champions despite his impressive form in the Premier League during recent seasons.

Arteta has made a successful return from an 11-month knee ligament injury absence and is refusing to give up hope of being on the plane to South Africa when coach Vicente del Bosque names his 23-man squad next month.

"I'm thinking positively that I can maybe get a call-up - you never know," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"But it's not going to be easy as we've got some terrific players in the middle of the park.

"Some of the players in competition are at big clubs and winning trophies (and) playing in Spain is different.

"I just need to wait and see what happens in May."