Spain captain Raul has vowed to be fully fit at the World Cup despite having only recently returned from a three-month injury lay-off.
The Real Madrid striker suffered a partial tear of his cruciate ligament in November, which kept him out of action until mid-February. However, he has failed to regain his place in the starting line-up, raising fears that he will lack match fitness when the World Cup begins.
Raul, though, is still confident there are enough games to regain match sharpness.
”I hope to participate a bit more in the final seven games so that I can gain the match fitness I need,” said Raul.
”The World Cup starts in June, we have got three friendlies before then and I think I will be in good form.”
Aragones insists Raul remains part of his plans, although he admits he would like to see him starting more matches for Real.
”If the game against Ukraine (Spain’s first World Cup game) was tomorrow, then Raul might not play,” he said.
”But I know that Raul will be playing, that he will be in the Real Madrid starting line-up for the remainder of the league and that he will go to the World Cup.
”He is a vital player for us.”
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