Morientes in fitness race ahead of Bayern match

Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes admits he is in a race against time to get fit for next week's Champions League semifinal, second leg away to Bayern Munich.

"I don't want to say that I am definitely going to be able to play in Germany and then not make it," the player said on Thursday.

"The only thing I can guarantee is that I will keep working hard in order to help the team and if I can I will be in Munich."

The Spanish international was unable to play in the first leg at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, wich Real lost 1-0, after suffering a recurrence of a persistent groin injury the week before the match.

But the 25-year-old striker, who has been undergoing intensive treatment on the injury, decided against surgery in the hope of being available to help the club in the delicately balanced second leg in Munich.

Morientes has spent much of the season trying to shake off injury problems, but has still managed to score four goals in the Champions League and six in the Spanish first division.