Real Madrid's Raul ready to start against Monaco

Real Madrid's talismanic striker Raul Gonzalez is ready to start their Champions League quarter-final first leg with Monaco on Wednesday, after passing a fitness test.

Club officials said that fears Raul would be sidelined with a minor thigh injury, picked up 4-2 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in the league on Saturday, had proved unfounded.

The nine-time European champions desperately need Raul firing on all cylinders if they are to end their two game losing streak and restore morale.

The defeat in Bilbao, which has left them leading the league by only a solitary point after being nine points clear at the start of the month, followed in the footsteps of an extra-time defeat to Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Cup final on Wednesday.

It was the first time this season Real have lost two consecutive matches.

Real coach Carlos Queiroz also indicated that Ronaldo is likely to start the match after being out of action with a thigh injury since March 5.

Ronaldo was given the green light to play on Monday.

"We are confident that he will be able to play a full 90 minutes and that he will have a good game," the Portuguese coach said.

Ronaldo himself is fired up and ready to go after missing Real's last four matches.

"My injury is completely cure. I'd be delighted if the boss decided to play me from the start as I really suffered while I was out injured and was hoping not to miss any more games. I'm hoping to be back to my best," the Brazilian World Cup winner said.

The only doubt is over whether Queiroz will opt for Francisco Pavon or Alvaro Mejia in the centre of the defence.

With Roberto Carlos suspended, Raul Bravo moves to left back and leaves a gap in the middle of the back four.

Queiroz looked a confident man on Tuesday when he addressed the press conference, despite Real's recent slump which has got everyone wondering whether they will end the season without a trophy.

"We may have lost three points and a final over the last week but haven't lost the virtues or strength of character that makes Real Madrid what it is," said Queiroz.

"Our personal and professional pride has been hurt but the best way to resolve that is to win this match and play good football. With our two defeats, last week was a black week, but I am sure we are about to start a white one."

Queiroz admitted that one of his biggest worries was the outstanding form of Monaco's Spanish striker Fernando Morientes, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Real last summer.

"I wish he was still playing for us rather than them," joked Queiroz.

Asked whether he thought Morientes would be out to prove a point on his return to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Queiroz took the diplomatic approach.

"Morientes is a fantastic professional. I am sure he is not motivated by feelings of revenge or settling a few scores."

However, many pundits are not so sure as Morientes is well known to have been very unhappy at his treatment by Queiroz after his arrival in the Spanish capital.