Raul return a major boost for Real, says coach

Raul's earlier than expected return will provide an important morale boost to Real Madrid in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final with Juventus, Real coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday.

Raul, the top scorer in the history of the Champions League, had been expected to be out of action for a month after undergoing emergency appendix surgery on April 21.

The Spanish international forward duly missed the first leg, won 2-1 by Real at the Bernabeu, but against all odds he has been passed fit for Wednesday's return in Turin -- much to the delight of Del Bosque.

"Raul is one of the most important members of the team," Del Bosque said. "It will give us a huge morale boost to have him in the side. It's always important to us that he plays."

Real will make a late decision on the fitness of Ronaldo, who suffered a calf injury in the first game.

"At the moment I have no opinion either way about Ronaldo," Del Bosque said. "We'll have to wait until after the final training session."