Real Madrid's Hierro: I have many years left

Real Madrid's bid to find a new central defender has again cast doubt on the future of veteran Fernando Hierro.

The Real centre-half is currently injured and is still to know whether he will have his contract extended beyond this season.

Hierro said last night: "I still have many years left in football. I don't know anything more about my contract and to talk about it would achieve little at the moment."

"I just hope that next year Real Madrid will win all the titles we set to out to win."