The Football Association have not been approached by England manager Fabio Capello about the prospect of selecting Everton's Spanish star Mikel Arteta. Arteta currently meets FIFA requirements on residency grounds, although the 27 year old would also have to apply for UK citizenship, which would delay any debut for a further six months.

Yet such a move would be loaded with controversy given the Spain-born star represented the country of his birth at Under-21 level and a gentleman's agreement is also said to be in place amongst the Home Nations that specifies that to qualify for an international call-up you must either have been born in the country, have a parent or grandparent born in the country or have spent five years in education in the country before the age of 18.

The conversation is yet to take place though, according to the FA.

"We have not discussed the matter as a policy, as we have not been in a position where the manager wants to select a 'dual passport player'," said an FA spokesman.