Cristiano Ronaldo has been out of action for both club and country since the end of September nursing an ankle injury, but Carlos Quieroz, the Portugal coach, has moved to include Ronaldo in the squad for the upcoming play-off matches.

Doctors' reports have suggested that Ronaldo may be fit to return in around 2 weeks time, but his inclusion in the Portugal national set up will undoubtedly anger Real Madrid management who do not want Ronaldo's fitness to be taken out of the club's hands.

Frustrations are already running high in the Madrid camp as Ronaldo aggravated his ankle playing for Portugal last time round. Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano stated, "Remember that Cristiano damaged his ankle again playing for Portugal. So to make the same mistake again I would find something more serious."

The Portugal squad in full is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Hilario (Chelsea), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting).

Defenders: Ricardo Costa (VfL Wolfsburg), Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea FC), Miguel (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC), Rolando (FC Porto).

Midfielders: Deco (Chelsea), Duda (Malaga CF), João Moutinho (Sporting), Fábio Coentrão (SL Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting CP), Raul Meireles (FC Porto), Tiago (Juventus).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Liedson (Sporting CP), Nani (Manchester Utd), Hugo Almeida (SV Werder Bremen), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid) and Edinho (Malaga CF).