Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque has refused to rule out a return for Schalke striker Raul to the national team.
The 34-year-old striker has been in prolific form for the Bundesliga club this season, with 10 goals and four assists in 17 league appearances.
Barcelona and Spain attacker David Villa’s leg injury will see him miss up to five months of action, and this has raised doubts about whether the former Valencia man will make the country’s Euro 2012 squad.
Raul has been tipped as a potential candidate to replace the the 30-year-old in case he does not recover in time for the competition, and Del Bosque admitted that such scenario is possible.
“I have a very good relationship with him,” he is quoted by Marca as saying. “What he is doing is fantastic.
“No-one’s cycle is closed.”
The 60-year-old coach then confessed he is worried that he may lose some important players to injuries as the two La Liga giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, are competing in several tournaments.
“I am sure that there will be more [fitness] problems until Euro 2012 starts,” he said. “It is always a risk.