MADRID (AFP) - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has fuelled speculation that Brazil-born Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will be called up for the world champions' two remaining World Cup qualifiers.

Del Bosque will name his squad for the games against Belarus and Georgia on October 11 and 15 respectively on Friday with Spain needing just four points to guarantee their place in next year's finals.

Costa has started the season in fantastic form and his eighth league goal in just seven matches was enough to hand Atletico a memorable 1-0 win over arch city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

That goal brought him level with Lionel Messi as La Liga's top goalscorer this season with his return in front of goal meaning Diego Simeone's men have barely missed the departed Radamel Falcao.

And del Bosque is also convinced that Costa's volatile nature would not be a liability heading into the World Cup.

"He is doing well enough to be called up and his character wouldn't be a problem. He gives me the impression that he is a good guy. He has great spirit," del Bosque told Spanish television station Cuatro.

Costa is eligible to play for Spain on residency grounds having lived there since 2007.

The 24-year-old made two appearances for Brazil earlier this year in friendlies against Italy and Russia, but he can still represent Spain as he has not played in a competitive match at senior level.

"If we call him up we are almost obligated to take him to the World Cup, but we still don't know if we can call him up or not.

"On Friday there will be a squad announcement and we will take those that are suitable. It will be a sporting decision," he added.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has criticised the potential move, claiming that the rules governing which countries a player may represent are outdated.