Ronaldo back in training but still misses play-off

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training with his Real Madrid team-mates for the first time since injuring his ankle in late September. He will still, however, miss Portugal's World Cup play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The £80 million world record signing suffered the injury in a Champions League clash with Marseille on September 30 but was put through his paces at Real's Valdebebas training complex today, taking part in some ball work.

Ronaldo's injury became the subject of controversy earlier this month when Portugal tried to call him up for duty in their World Cup qualification play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina. He had risked the injury during his country's crucial final group game with Hungary in October but had broken down by half-time, causing an almighty club v country row.

This time, the player has ultimately remained with Real, while Portugal narrowly won the first leg of the play-off without him.