Tests in Amsterdam have shown Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo needs two more weeks of treatment on his injured ankle.
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Ronaldo: Two weeks away from fitness
Ronaldo, who has not played since aggravating the problem in Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary last month, was due to return to action around now. But Real said tests conducted by the doctor who treated the same ankle last year had confirmed that the player he will require another two weeks of treatment before returning to Amsterdam.
Ronaldo will definitely miss Saturday's trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid as well as their attempt to overturn a 4-0 deficit against third-tier side Alcorcon in Tuesday's King's Cup last 32 second leg at the Bernabeu.
Meanwhile the Portuguese Football Federation played down a report in Spanish sports daily Marca that said the injury will take at least another month to heal, forcing Ronaldo out of the two-legged World Cup playoff against Bosnia.
The paper said he could be sidelined for three months if he needs surgery, but federation chief Gilberto Madail disagrees:
"Even Marca gets it wrong," he said, adding that he was hopeful Ronaldo would play against Bosnia in Lisbon on November 14 and in Zenica four days later.
"Ronaldo wants to play, he will join the squad and will be examined by the medical team. The situation is under control as there have been contacts between our coach, the Real Madrid coach, the player and the medical departments."
