RAUL NOT EXPECTING EURO 2008 PLACE

Real Madrid captain Raul has hinted that he does not expect to feature on Spain's list of 23 players heading to Euro 2008 this summer.

Raul has not figured in the plans of Spain coach Luis Aragones since a 3-2 loss to Northern Ireland in September 2006, during the qualifying campaign for the Austria and Switzerland tournament.

Spanish fans and media have clamoured for his inclusion in the squad, which is due to be announced on Saturday, but Raul admits his thoughts at the moment have already turned to club matters next season and not to national team duty.


"My primary objective is to rest and get ready for next season," he told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"Next year it's going to be a long and demanding season, as they always are when it comes to Real Madrid, because after winning two consecutive league titles a lot more is going to be expected of us and it's obvious that because of this we're going to have to be prepared."

Raul remains his nation's all-time top scorer with 44 goals in 102 international matches, but has been omitted from the squad since 2006 with Valencia's David Villa and Liverpool forward Fernando Torres being preferred.