Spanish nerves were jangling today after star striker Raul again missed proper training while fellow striker Diego Tristan and midfielder David Abelda are also doubts for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against South Korea.
Team doctor Genaro Borras said that Raul's groin injury, suffered in last Sunday's win over the Republic of Ireland, was responding after treatment throughout the week - and rated the 24-year-old a possible starter.
"Raul wants to play - but even if he does play he won't be 100 per cent fit," said Borras.
Raul appeared with heavy strapping around the injury and restricted himself to a light jog.
Tristan is similarly labouring under a groin strain, as well as an ankle knock, and were he and Raul to fail to make the starting line-up Spanish options up front would be extremely limited aside from Fernando Morientes.
Abelda has been getting over a testicular strain.
AFP