Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has said Raul could be called up to the national team "at any time".

Raul has not played for Spain since 2006 after being controversially overlooked by former coach Luis Aragones.

But in an interview with Marca on Wednesday Aragones' successor said: "Raul's in the starting line-up for his club, he's playing well and can return, if I reckon that's the right thing to do, at any time."

Del Bosque, who coached Raul when he was manager of Real Madrid between 1999 and 2003, added: "I've said several times that the doors to the national team were never closed for Raul.

"What's more he's the footballer who has scored the most goals for the national team."

Raul has scored 44 goals from 102 caps.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2008)