MADRID - Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is back to full fitness and determined to rediscover the goal-scoring form he showed for the club in his first two seasons.

The Dutchman, 33, played the whole of Real's King's Cup second leg match against Alcorcon on Tuesday and said in an interview with Spain's Marca newspaper that he was "in perfect shape".

"The body responded and that gives me hope that I can go back to being what I was before," said Van Nistelrooy, who made his debut for Real in August 2006. "I believe I can improve and get better."

Van Nistelrooy returned in September from nine months out with a serious knee injury but strained a thigh muscle and was sidelined for several more weeks.