Soccer:Spain coach Vincente del Bosque is weighing up the idea of going without a striker altogether for the European Championships.

With Barcelona striker David Villa not set to return until towards the end of the Spanish season after breaking his leg at the Club World Cup and Chelsea’s Fernando Torres dropped from the squad due to his lack of form, Del Bosque is toying with the idea of having no out and out target man.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly international against Venezuela in Malaga, Del Bosque pointed to last October’s 3-1 victory over Scotland in a Euro 2012 qualifier, as a prime example.

“Against Scotland we experimented without any reference points in the forward line. These are options that we have and that we should utilise. This richness in our play is beneficial and works well for us,” said Del Bosque.

Spain has a number of gifted attacking midfielders who could fill the role of what is known in the Iberian nation as the “false number nine”.

As well as David Silva, Del Bosque also has Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Juan Mata on his roster, while Villa is another possibility should he recover from leg surgery in time.

The system typically includes three players across the front line who make darting runs on to short, quick passes and is one that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola often relies on.

Teenager Iker Muniain, who is in the senior squad for the first time for the Venezuela game, also has a proven ability to find the net operating as a roving forward and making intelligent runs into the penalty area.

Del Bosque does opt to deploy a traditional striker and decides not to give Torres another chance, he can call on the Athletic Bilbao’s towering Fernando Llorente, the powerful Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla or Valencia’s Roberto Soldado.

Soldado, who replaced Torres in the latest squad after being recalled after five years on the sidelines, is sure Torres will rediscover his scoring touch.

“He is popular in the dressingroom and has been a fundamental part of the team and I am sure he will be again,” Soldado said.

“Nobody doubts that he will find his confidence again. I am sending him a lot of encouragement and a big hug, because he is a fundamental part of the side.

“In the meantime, I am determined to make the most of the opportunity I have and to justify the confidence the coach has shown in me.”

Meanwhile, Croatia coach Slaven Bilic sees tomorrow night’s friendly against Sweden in Zagreb as a good rehearsal for what his side will face in their opening Group C encounter against the Republic of Ireland in Poznan on June 10th.

“The Swedes are not identical to Ireland but they have many things in common, namely a vertically aggressive attacking style,” said Bilic.

“Both teams are very good at set pieces and win most aerial battles against their opponents, meaning that we will have to match them every step of the way in terms of endurance, commitment and discipline. If we can do that, our individual quality should make the difference,” he added.

Bilic played down suggestions that his squad is already settled and that the game with Sweden would give his fringe players a chance to stake their claims.

“Some media have suggested the team picks itself and that naming the final squad is a mere formality but I can assure everyone here that it's not,” said Bilic.

“No player in my team can take anything for granted, they can all either consolidate their positions in the pecking order or compromise them depending on their performances.”