Spain look to resolve problem positions against Peru

Spain coach Inaki Saez hopes Wednesday's friendly against Peru will help him to resolve two problem positions in his Euro 2004 squad.

Although he has already settled on the bulk of the players to take to the championship in neighbouring Portugal in June, Saez says he is still unsure about who will lead the attack and who will occupy the left-back slot.

"One position that worries me a lot is the number nine -- the lead striker," he said.

"We are a team that doesn't find it easy to score and urgently needs an out-an-out goalscorer."

Captain Raul is guaranteed a place as one of the forwards but the other slot is still very much up for grabs. And with the game being played in Barcelona's Olympic stadium at Montjuic, Saez has decided to give Espanyol's Raul Tamudo a chance to impress in front of his home crowd.

But although the diminutive striker is a neat finisher he is unlikely to provide the definitive answer to Spain's scoring problems and Deportivo Coruna forward Albert Luque will also be given a run up front.

Many observers were surprised that the in-form Fernando Morientes, who has impressed at Monaco this season, was not included in the squad but Saez has hinted that he will give the former Real Madrid striker a chance in a later friendly.

Saez is even more worried about who to take as his first choice left-back.

In the absence of any natural left-sided players that convince him, Saez has chosen to switch Barcelona defender Carles Puyol across from his favoured right-back berth.

Puyol will get another chance to try out his new role against Peru, while Real Madrid's Raul Bravo, who is now playing at centre-back for his club, will also get an opportunity in his old position on the left.

Opponents Peru, who drew 1-1 against Brazil and beat Paraguay 4-1 in the South American World Cup qualifying group, should provide a useful opening test for Saez's young squad, who qualified for Euro 2004 after a play-off against Norway.

Saez will have two more opportunities in friendlies against Denmark and Italy to fine tune his preparations.

Spain: Iker Casillas, Michel Salgado, Ivan Helguera, Carlos Marchena, Carles Puyol, Ruben Baraja, David Albelda, Vicente, Juan Carlos Valeron, Raul, Raul Tamudo.

Peru (probable): Oscar Ibanez, Jorge Soto, Miguel Rebosio, John Galliquio, Martin Hidalgo, Nolberto Solano, Roberto Palacios, Marko Ciurlizza, Juan Jayo, Andres Mendoza, Claudio Pizarro.