Queiroz to call on Ron

Portugal boss to call up star player for World Cup play-offs

Last updated: 7th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Queiroz to call on Ron

Queiroz: Set to call-up Ronaldo

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Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is set to spark a club-versus-country row by calling up Cristiano Ronaldo for the World Cup play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Queiroz is desperate for the World Player of the Year to feature at some point as the Portuguese prepare for the first leg in Lisbon on 14th November and the return meeting scheduled for Zenica four days later.

Under Fifa guidelines Ronaldo would have to report for international duty should he receive a call-up but the latest medical reports from Real Madrid say the forward will be out of action for at least two more weeks with his ankle injury.

Los Blancos chief Manuel Pellegrini has said it is "impossible" for Ronaldo to play with Portugal but Queiroz hopes this is not the case.

The Portugal boss, who is set to name his squad on Sunday, told television channel TVI24: "I'm going to call up Cristiano Ronaldo and I hope that he can help us, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Decision

"The specialists have to make the decision on if he can play. Naturally we are concerned, because the most important thing is the player.

"We want a great Ronaldo, we want a fit player and the first consideration is to know whether he is able to play and contribute anything to the national team."

The winger injured his ankle at the end of September in the UEFA Champions League match against Marseille but still started for Portugal just over 10 days later in their must-win qualifier against Hungary.

The former Manchester United star lasted less than half an hour of the clash after aggravating the injury.

He has since been forced to sit out Real's last seven fixtures and now looks set to also miss Saturday's trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will be also miss Real's attempt to overturn a 4-0 deficit against third-tier side Alcorcon in Tuesday's King's Cup last 32 tie at the Bernabeu.