Real Madrid have been handed a boost with the news that Christiano Ronaldo could be ready to resume full training on Friday.
The winner of World Footballer of the Year injured his ankle during a Champions League match with Marseille on 30th September and has since missed nine games for the La Liga giants.
In his absence, Madrid have been overtaken in the league table by fierce rivals Barcelona and were also knocked out of the Copa Del Rey after suffering a humiliating 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of village side Alcorcon.
Despite also being forced out of Portugal’s crucial World Cup play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ronaldo has now been cleared to train after undergoing tests on Tuesday.
Understandably, Real Madrid are keen not to rush back their number nine and club official Emilio Butragueno said: “We need to take it day-by-day. The doctors will make the decisions.”
He added: “I have the feeling Cristiano wants to be playing already and that enthusiasm could be harmful since it would be terrible if he re-injured himself.”
Ronaldo is likely to miss Real’s next two matches, against Racing Santander and FC Zurich, however the £80million man will be desperate to make a comeback in time for the first “El Clasico” of the season, against Barcelona, a week on Sunday.
For all Madrid’s summer spending, Barcelona are the current favourites to win both the match and a second successive Primera Division title. With so much at stake then, few would be surprised if Butragueno’s words of wisdom are quickly forgotten come derby day.
In other sports news, the odds for the 2010 Grand National are heating up, so keep your eye on them for future bets.
