Van Nistelrooy confident Real Madrid contract Christmas present

Ruud van Nistelrooy hopes to have signed his new contract with Real Madrid by Christmas.

After hitting the winner at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night, the Dutchman confirmed a deal was close to being agreed and yesterday added: "Santa Claus is going to bring me a present - a new contract."

"It's almost done and I am very happy about it."

Van Nistelrooy's new deal is expected to keep him at Real until 2010.