UPDATE 1-Soccer-Getafe's De la Red gets Spain call-up

By Simon Baskett

MADRID, March 22 (Reuters) - Getafe midfielder Ruben de la Red was given his first call-up for Spain on Saturday when he was named in a 22-man squad for next week's friendly against world champions Italy in Elche.

The 22-year-old, who joined Getafe from Real Madrid at the start of the season, has played an instrumental role in the modest Madrid-based side's progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and the final of the King's Cup.

"He is getting better as a player, he's playing well and can also play in two positions in midfield so we want to see a bit more of him," coach Luis Aragones told a news conference.

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa was given another chance to win his first cap after missing last month's game against France because of injury.

However, Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic, who missed out on becoming the youngest player to play for Spain when he had to withdraw from the France match because of illness, dropped down to the under-21s to help them in their European championship qualifier against Kazakhstan.

As expected, there was no place for Real Madrid striker Raul in what is Spain's last test before Aragones announces his squad for Euro 2008.

Instead, in-form Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Valencia's David Villa, Daniel Guiza and Luis Garcia will be vying for the two berths up front.