Queiroz defiant on Ronaldo call-up

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz insisted Saturday that he intends to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for crucial World Cup play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the opposition of the player’s club Real Madrid.

Real Madrid doctors have estimated that the striker will be out of action for at least two more weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury which has forced him to miss the club’s last seven matches.

Ronaldo initially injured his right ankle in Real’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Marseille at the end of September and aggravated the problem while playing for Portugal on October 10.

But Quieroz is not convinced that he is unable to play, and said that the Real Madrid star “will be examined by doctors who will decide if he can or not contribute to the national team.”

“I’m going to call up Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s an important player for us and I hope he can help us even if it’s only for a few minutes,” Queiroz told televsion channel TVI24.

“We want a great Cristiano, in form, and that’s our priority – to know if he is fit,” said the Portugal coach.

“Can he miss the first leg and play the second? It’s still too early to know,” said Queiroz, who is expected to name his team on Sunday to play Bosnia on November 14 in Lisbon and November 18 in Zenica.

Real Madrid have told Queiroz in no uncertain terms they will not make the star striker available.

“It’s impossible for Ronaldo to play with Portugal,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini. “I feel sorry for the Portugal squad and for the player, but he hasn’t trained for a long time now and he is still in pain.”