Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez said on Wednesday that he expects to see out the three years he has left on his contract at the Spanish soccer club.

Raul, who is now 31 years old, is finding himself increasingly questioned as a player despite ending last season with 18 goals.

However, speaking on Radio Marca, he said he has no intention of giving up.

"I have three years left on my contract and then we will see what happens year by year," said Raul, who did admit that he would probably be starting fewer games as time progresses.

"It will be more usual to see me on the bench. I have been playing for 14 years and playing a lot of games. We are all at the club to help. Sometimes you do that coming off the bench and others you do it as first choice. There will be no problem with that," he said.

The Real Madrid captain also made it clear that he was irritated at the criticisms of his form this season.

"Whenever I go five games without scoring a goal, there is another debate about me. People don't value the rest of the work that I do on the pitch. I am going to keep on fighting," he said.

Nevertheless, he made it clear that there was one thing he was not prepared to do and that is play when he is not 100 percent fit.

"I am not going to play when I am injured. I have done it in the past; I have played a lot of games carrying knocks. People never thank you for it, even though you play to help the team," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2008)