Real Madrid CF captain Raúl González will meet club doctors and a team of four specialists next week to determine whether he requires surgery to repair his left kneecap and cruciate ligaments.

Official verdict
The Spain forward sustained the most serious injury of his decade-long career during Madrid's 3-0 defeat by FC Barcelona in November, and had initially hoped to avoid going under the knife. However, the Spanish side's chief medic, Dr Alfonso del Corral, believes now is the perfect time to assess the severity of the injury, and the best way of overcoming it, with a month having passed by.

Staying positive
The 28-year-old can walk with the aid of a crutch, and remained optimistic that rest would prove the best cure. "I expect to work extremely hard for the rest of the year, although I'm waiting to hear from the doctors. I hope I don't have to have surgery because I'm eager to start some ball work and running. The one positive is that I get to spend more time at home," said Raúl, father of newly-born twins Héctor and Mateo.