Coach confirms Raul on bench

Spain coach Luis Aragones has confirmed that striker Raul will not start against Ukraine.

The Real Madrid star took blows to his ankle and thigh during training at the weekend and was forced to undertake light training away from the first team.

Aragones has opted to leave Raul on the bench for the Group H opener against World Cup new boys Ukraine and is expected to go with Fernando Torres, David Villa and Luis Garcia up front.

"Raul has always said he's here for whatever the coach needs," Aragones told Sky Sports News.

"I think it will be difficult for him to play 90 minutes, he can play some part in the match rather than start at the beginning.

"These are things the coach and player talk about and know themselves."

Defender Carles Puyol believes Raul will understand Aragones' decision to leave him on the bench and feels the coach may be proved right on Wednesday.

"Raul knows the most important things is the team, not just one player," Puyol added.

"This is my opinion and I think things will go better like this."

Meanwhile, Raul himself says the squad are excited to be finally getting their World Cup campaign underway.

Having been drawn in Group H, the Spaniards have had to sit and watch as most other teams make their first appearance in Germany.

"The team has prepared very well and are very keen to start the championships," Raul said.

"We've seen all the other teams start and want to start ourselves.

"It's going to be a difficult match in principle. I'm not going to play but I'm going to help in any way I can."