Manchester United Star David de Gea Set for World Cup Chance

After it was confirmed Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be out for six to eight months with a serious knee injury, Manchester United's David de Gea is on World Cup alert.

The Catalan, who announced earlier this season that he will leave Barca in the summer, has likely played his final game for the club and will miss the rest of his final season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg during the 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo.

The injury is also likely to prevent him from going to the Brazil World Cup with Spain.

The most realistic alternatives for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque are de Gea and Real Madrid's 32-year-old keeper Diego Lopez.

De Gea, 23, won the U-21 European Championship in both 2011 and 2013 but has not yet made his debut for the senior side, despite being called up in May 2012 for the friendlies against Serbia and South Korea.

His performances for Manchester United have been excellent, despite the club's turmoil, and his manager David Moyes has reportedly offered an extension to his contract, which ends in June 2016.

Vicente del Bosque's other option, Diego Lopez, is more experienced as he has been Real's first option for over a year and is already familiar with international football – he travelled with Spain to South Africa for the Confederations Cup in 2009, and debuted with 'La Roja' in a friendly against Macedonia.

Despite his experience, Lopez's age may count him as coach Vincente Del Bosque has recently leaned towards younger players when refreshing his squad.

Other potential candidates are Kiko Casilla (27, Espanyol), Vicente Guaita (27, Valencia), Yoel Rodriguez (25, Celta Vigo), Roberto Jimenez (28, Olympiakos), Sergio Asenjo (24, Villarreal), Gorka Iraizoz (33, Athletic) and Andres Fernandez (27, Osasuna).