Spain national team coach Luis Aragones has thrown the Real Madrid skipper Raul a lifline by telling Radiofuria in an interview that he thinks Raul is improving.

Earlier this month Argones left Raul out of his preliminary squad and in all probabilities, the Real Madrid striker shall have to sit out the Euro 2008 finals. Raul hasn't featured for the Spanish national team since September 2006 and the Madrid press, especially AS, have been up and running to include the player in the Euro 2008 Spain squad.

Luis Aragones does acknowledge that Raul has massively improved this season but does hint that that resurgence in form might not be enough for the Real Madrid striker to seep into the national team. He says:

"Raúl is improving and I believe that he will improve more. In his last few starts he has been the best I have seen him this season. Real Madrid are a massive club, but I am the coach, the selector for the Spanish national team and in the end the decision is my responsibility.

"People think that Raúl must be included, but more than anyone I just want to see Spain succeed. In that respect I will not throw stones against my own tile roof."