Spain coach says door still open for Raul

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has assured out of favour striker Raul that his international exile could end “at any time.”

The Real Madrid star has not played for the European champions since 2006 after being controversially overlooked by former coach Luis Aragones.

But in an interview with Marca on Wednesday Aragones' successor said: “Raul's in the starting line-up for his club, he's playing well and can return, if I reckon that's the right thing to do, at any time.”

Del Bosque, who coached Raul when he was manager of Real Madrid between 1999 and 2003, added: “I've said several times that the doors to the national team were never closed for Raul.

“What's more he's the footballer who has scored the most goals for the national team.”

Raul, with 44 goals from 102 caps, has not played for La Furia Roja since September 6, 2006, the 3-2 loss to Northern Ireland in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Since the start of the season he's scored six times for Real Madrid.

Spain lead their 2010 World Cup qualifying group with four wins from their first four qualifiers.

After a friendly aginst England in Seville on February 11 they face Turkey on March 28 in their next Group 5 qualifier en route to South Africa in 2010.

Spain ended a 44 year trophy drought with a 1-0 win over Germany in the Euro 2008 final in Vienna this summer.