Raul taking break to solve ankle problem

Schalke says former Spain striker Raul Gonzalez will take a short break to help fully recover from an ankle problem. Raul missed the Bundesliga side's training session on Wednesday, with coach Huub Stevens saying, ''We're leaving Raul out of training for a few days to make him fit again for next week.'' The 34-year-old Raul played through the pain in recent games against Maccabi Haifa in the Europa League and Hamburg in the Bundesliga. Raul has scored 17 goals in 42 appearances for Schalke since his transfer from Real Madrid in 2010. The Spaniard has started in each of Schalke's eight league games this season, scoring four goals. Schalke plays seven games in 23 days after the international break.