Del Bosque: Raul could go to Euro 2012

Madrid, April 14 (IANS) Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has not ruled out the prospect of taking former Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez to this summer's European Championships to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

Raul has not played for Spain since Del Bosque took charge of the national team following the 2010 World Cup. The 35-year-old has been in sparkling form for German side Schalke 04 making 29 appearances for the club this season and scoring 14 goals with two assists.

However, his continued good form this season, which included three goals against Athletic Club Bilbao in the Europa League, has once again brought Raul back into the spotlight and with David Villa recovering from a fractured leg and Fernando Torres still searching for form at Chelsea, Raul is suddenly being talked of seriously as a possible inclusion in the national team.

When asked about whether or not he would take Raul to the Euro 2012 at a memorial dinner late Friday night, Del Bosque admitted that Raul was "potentially open to selection", Xinhua reported.

He also added that he hoped Villa, who broke his leg in the World Club Championships in December, would have recovered in time.

"That is our hope, but it is still not certain, although we will wait as long as possible for him," said Del Bosque, who also highlighted the importance of the coach's role in football.

"All of us coaches have a big repercussion in society and if football is a passion and a vocation above anything else, I understand that we have the responsibility to look after the sport and to take care of it," he concluded.