Morientes ready for title party

Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes hopes to be involved in the club's title-winning celebrations, despite having recently undergone surgery.

Morientes went under the knife just over a week ago but he'll hopefully have the strength to celebrate Real Madrid's 28th league title with his team-mates either this weekend or next. The Merengues' custom when celebrating a cup win is to parade the trophy through the streets of the capital until they reach the Cibeles fountain in the city centre.

Once there the players climb onto the fountain to show the cup off to the gathering crowds. "I'm glad that we didn't win the league last Sunday," Morientes joked. "I wouldn't have been able to climb Cibeles - but this Saturday I'll be ready".

Real Madrid need just a win against Alaves on Saturday to clinch the league and the club has already begun preparations for a grand scale party in the city. An open top bus will carry the players and the league trophy from the Santiago Bernabeu down Madrid's main street, the Castellana until they reach the Cibeles fountain. More than a million people are expected to be lining the streets to greet their heroes. Later on, the party will continue at the Bernabeu with music, fireworks and the presentation of all the players in the centre of the pitch.