Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek wants to leave Real Madrid in the January transfer window in search of regular first team action for the rest of the season so he can win a place in the Polish national team for Euro 2008.

 

"I've got a three-year contract with Real Madrid but I want to look at the possibility of leaving," the 34-year-old told Spanish sports daily Marca yesterday.

 

"Poland have qualified for the European championship for the first time and I have received an important call from the coach Leo Beenhakker who told me that if I played regularly I would be his keeper at Euro 2008.

 

"I want to play at the European championship because it will be a historic moment for our country and I haven't played at all in Madrid. I think the best thing now is to talk."

 

Dudek joined Real as a free agent from Liverpool in the close season to provide cover for first-choice keeper Iker Casillas but he has yet to play for the club in either the Primera Liga or the Champions League.

 

"I would like to leave," Dudek added. "If I were 26 I would never leave Real Madrid even if I was second choice, but things have changed with the call from Poland. I'm 34 and they have given me hope of playing in an important tournament.

 

"I know I will only have a chance if I play regularly in the next few months. Real have the final word."

 

Poland has been drawn alongside Germany, Croatia and joint hosts Austria in Group B of Euro 2008.

 

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily December 6, 2007)