Raul will be fit to play in World Cup

Spain captain Raul, who ruptured knee ligaments in November, has said he will be back to play in the World Cup.

The Real Madrid striker reportedly met Spanish coach Luis Aragones this week and told him: "Everything's alright. I'll be in Germany."

Raul suffered a ruptured meniscus and a partial knee ligament rupture when playing for Real against Barcelona on November 19.

AS said that Raul's recuperation had progressed faster than expected and he began running at the end of last month.

The doctors could announce in the coming two weeks that an operation will not be needed, the AS paper said Saturday.

Another key player in the Spanish team, Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, could also be back in time for the World Cup, it added, without giving details.

Xavi ruptured knee ligaments during training in early December and underwent an immediate operation, which would normally necessitate six months of recuperation.