Queiroz to call up injured Ronaldo for play-off

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz will name Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in a crucial World Cup qualifying double-header later this month.

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Madrid star will not be fit for Portugal

The current FIFA World Player of the Year has not played since limping off early in Portugal's win over Hungary a month ago. Reports earlier this week suggested he will not be fit enough to play again until December.

Queiroz has pulled Portugal from what seemed like certain elimination to a second chance play-off against a nation which has never before played at the World Cup finals. The Portuguese are hot favourites but the coach is eager to have his star player available.

The news is sure to anger Real, who were furious with Portugal for risking the £80 million man against Hungary, which led to an extended lay-off. That has coincided with a dip in form for a Real side which had started excellently with Ronaldo hitting the ground running.

Ronaldo has missed Madrid's last seven matches after initially suffering an injury to his right ankle during the Champions League match with Marseille on September 30.

The winger has met with Dutch specialist Professor Niek van Dijk in Amsterdam after tests conducted by Madrid on Wednesday revealed that no improvement had been made since undergoing an MRI scan a week before.

Van Dijk, who operated on the 24-year-old's right ankle in the summer of 2008, advised Ronaldo to continue his treatment before returning for a fresh evaluation in 15 days' time.

Portugal are due to entertain Bosnia in Lisbon on November 14 with the return meeting scheduled for Zenica four days later.

Queiroz told Portuguese 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.

"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.''

Queiroz is set to name his squad on Sunday.