Queiroz to call up injured Ronaldo for Portugal playoff

PORTUGAL coach Carlos Queiroz plans to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for their World Cup playoff against Bosnia even though Real Madrid have said he needs two more weeks of treatment on his injured ankle.

Real Madrid's record signing injured his ankle in a Champions League match on September 30 and has not played since aggravating it in Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary 10 days later.

On Thursday, the club said tests conducted by a specialist in the Netherlands revealed he needed another two weeks of treatment.

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano and coach Manuel Pellegrini both said yesterday that the player would not be joining the Portugal squad.

"I am going to call up Cristiano Ronaldo and I hope he can help us even if it is just for a few minutes," Queiroz told the TVI24 news channel.

"I will call him up for sure, then it is a medical question", Queiroz said, adding that the player would be examined by the national team doctors.

Queiroz said the squad for the playoff against Bosnia in Lisbon on November 14 and in Zenica four days later would not include Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa due to a knee injury, but "may include one or two surprises".

The coach is due to announce the squad tomorrow.

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