Thursday, September 2, 2010

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as expected in the Portugal squad for their World Cup qualifying play-off double-header against Bosnia.

Real Madrid claim the 24-year-old will be out of action for at least another two weeks due to an ankle injury which has seen the former Manchester United man miss seven games.

Portugal coach Carlos Quieroz insists it is up to the national team’s doctors to see if he can play any part at all in the matches.

Ronaldo initially injured his right ankle in Real’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille at the end of September but then aggravated the problem in the 3-0 win over Hungary on  October 10. And club coach Manuel Pellegrini said: “Cristiano can not play for Portugal.

I’m sorry for Portugal and the player, but Cristiano has still not regained fitness and the pain does not stop. “Cristiano is currently hurting.

He has spent considerable time in the hospital and should have been able to play this week. Unfortunately, the doctor said it was not possible. We will carefully scrutinize the evolution of his injury.

“I hope he will return as soon as possible because he is a very important player for us. I understand that the Portuguese team came in for him, it makes sense.

“But the player is unable to play, if he was, we would have already used him.”

Portugal, beaten semi-finalists in 2006, are at home for the first leg in Lisbon on Saturday and play the Bosnians in the away leg on Wednesday.

Michael Owen's World Cup ambitions appear to have been dashed by coach Fabio Capello after being left out of the England squad for the friendly against Brazil in Doha on Saturday.

The Italian resisted the temptation to recall the Manchester United striker despite injuries to Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole, with Sunderland’s Darren Bent instead getting the nod after scoring eight times this season for the Black Cats.

Capello has also avoided a row with Liverpool by leaving injured midfielder Steven Gerrard out of the squad.

David Beckham will also be missing after his LA Galaxy side beat Chivas 1-0 to set up an MLS Western Conference final clash with Houston.

Wales will be without star man Craig Bellamy for this weekend’s friendly against Scotland after the Manchester City striker was ruled out of the Millennium Stadium game with a knee injury.

Aston Villa defender James Collins and Fulham midfielder Simon Davies are also out while Scotland have called up St Mirren keeper Paul Gallacher to replace Craig Gordon.