Luque (right) may have to take over from Raul (Allsport)

By PA Sport Staff

Self-confessed Raul nut Albert Luque has promised to shed no tears if forced to give up his place to the player nicknamed "Baby-star" in Spain's quarter-final team.

Real Mallorca striker Luque is pencilled into Jose Antonio Camacho's team for the match against co-hosts Korea, given Raul's ailing state.

But should Spanish football's golden boy shake off his thigh injury and give Camacho the thumbs-up on Saturday morning, then Luque will step aside.

Not with glee perhaps, but Luque accepts Raul's status as the most potent weapon in Spain's arsenal.

Camacho insists Raul will not be involved unless 100% fit, but Luque says: "We lose a lot if Raul isn't there."

With four goals so far, Raul has been key in perennial underachievers Spain reaching the last eight.

"He's one of our most important players and one of the best in the world," said Luque, a surprise invitee to the World Cup party.

Diego Tristan's injury makes Luque first choice to partner Fernando Morientes, Raul's Real Madrid partner in goal plundering.

But the Mallorca man told Spanish TV channel Antenna 3 that Spain's chances would be hit without Raul.

"We are trying to get him fit and we hope he's in shape," he said, admitting at the same time that Raul must make his own fitness decision.

"He will know his shape more than anyone. We want him to play, he says he's improving, but if he can't play, then someone else will do the job."

The 23-year-old Luque admits Spain remain blind to a degree of the Korean threat, but he is in awe of their fitness levels.

"The Koreans are physically in great shape," he explained.

"We will have to run a great deal and match them. We know we are technically better and we'll try to show that on the pitch.

"We know them more through their numbers than names. We've had a couple of chats with the boss - he says it will be hard, the public will be behind them, but we have to show we're better."