Real Madrid striker Raul has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester United after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
The Spanish international, will miss Wednesday’s game at Old Trafford and will be out for a further month.
Raul, who scored twice in the first leg meeting, was has been described by Sir Alex Ferguson as the best player in the world.
The 25-year-old had been named in the squad to travel to Manchester on Monday lunch-time after successfully coming through a gym session in the morning.
A statement from Real confirmed: ‘He will stay in under observation overnight and it is hoped that he could return home on Tuesday.
‘He will be able to return to training within seven to 10 days and it is estimated that in 30 days he could be available again to coach Vicente del Bosque.’
Raul, with 43 goals, is the leading goalscorer in Champions League history.
