England to play Spain in Alicante after venue switch

Spain have announced their friendly against England will now be played in Alicante instead of Madrid.

Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium was due to host the game on November 13 but the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have decided the Estadio Jose Rico Perez will be the venue.

The match will only go ahead if the reigning European champions qualify directly for Euro 2016.

Spain are level on 18 points with second-placed Slovakia in Group C with three games remaining.

A statement from the Spanish FA read: "In the event that Spain qualify directly for Euro 2016, they will face England in an international friendly that will take place at Alicante's Jose Rico Perez Stadium on Friday, November 13, using a FIFA date."

The stadium has a 30,000 seating capacity and is the home of Segunda Division B side Hercules CF.

Roy Hodgson's men face Switzerland at home on Tuesday, while the Spaniards take on Macedonia in Skopje.

The two countries last met in Spain in February 2009 in Seville, with La Roja winning 2-0.

England are also set to play France in a friendly at Wembley four days later and will play Germany in Berlin on March 26 next year.