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Portugal Confident Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo Will Play In World Cup Qualifiers

The Portuguese have a must-win clash at the weekend, and they are very hopeful that the world's most expensive player will be able to turn out for them...

Oct 6, 2009 12:49:29 PM

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (PA)

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Portugal are confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will recover from injury in time to play for them in their crucial World Cup qualifier at the weekend.

The Real Madrid star missed his club side's defeat to Sevilla on Sunday after picking up a knock in the midweek encounter with Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League.

Though that ankle injury ruled him out of the game in Sanchez Pizjuan, he has travelled to team up with Portugal and could appear against Hungary.

Further tests will be done on Ronaldo on Thursday, according to national team physiotherapist Henrique Jones, who believes that 'CR9' will be given the green light to play.

"We are optimistic with his sprain," he was quoted as saying by AS.

"We believe he will be fit for Saturday, but on Wednesday or Thursday he will undergo an ultrasound to gauge his progress."

Portugal are third in Group 1 and need to beat Hungary on Saturday to stand any chance of going to the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com