MADRID, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Barcelona teenager Bojan Krkic was included in coach Luis Aragones's 22-man squad on Friday for Spain's friendly against World Cup finalists France next week.

The 17-year-old forward received his first call-up along with Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa and Real Mallorca defender Fernando Navarro.

If Bojan plays in Malaga next Wednesday he will become the youngest player to be capped by Spain, beating the previous record set by Athletic Bilbao's Angel Zubieta in 1936, by three months.

He made his Primera Liga debut against Osasuna this season and became the youngest player to score a league goal for Barca in the 3-1 defeat by Villarreal in October.

"He's playing very well at the moment and that is why he is here. He has a great future in front of him," Aragones told a news conference.

The 69-year-old went on to admit that another reason for calling him up now was to ensure the player was not poached by another national team. Bojan's father is Serbian.

Navarro and Arbeloa have both been consistent performers for their clubs this season and have their chance to impress, with Aragones saying he wanted to try a few different things.

But Aragones did keep faith with experienced Valencia midfielder David Albelda despite him being sidelined by club coach Ronald Koeman since December.

"He's coming because he was in the team that qualified for Euro 2008 and he could help us in a difficult game like the one against France," Aragones added.

Defender Carles Puyol, midfielder Marcos Senna and striker Raul Tamudo all missed out due to injury.

The match against France will bring back bitter memories for Spain, who lost 3-1 the last time the two sides met, in the second round of the World Cup in 2006.

Spain and France are on the same side of the draw for Euro 2008 and could meet again if both qualify from their groups.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpoool)

Defenders: Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca), Juanito (Real Betis), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia), Albert Riera (Espanyol), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca), Bojan Krkic (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Luis Garcia (Espanyol)

(Reporting by Mark Elkington, editing by Trevor Huggins)