The man in the middle

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the centre of a club v country feud after learning his ankle injury will not need surgery.

The Real Madrid star had feared he would be ruled out for three months, but has in fact been given a chance to making the 'Clasico' against Barcelona on November 29.

Dutch specialist Professor Niek van Dijk has concluded that Ronaldo needs two more weeks of treatment before he can be reassessed in Amsterdam, say the Spanish club.

But Portugal are said to be ready to call-up the former Manchester United star for their two-leg World Cup qualification play-off on November 14 and 18, which has enraged the Spaniards.

Madrid are still smarting after Ronaldo aggravated his ankle injury when deployed for his country against Hungary last month.

Bernabeu sporting director Jorge Valdano said: 'They can call up whoever they want, but Cristiano is on sick leave.

'We would have been the first ones to use him if he's been available in recent games. If we haven't used him, it's for a reason.

'We hope to have no problem in this regard because the medical report is clear.'

However, the president of the Portuguese FA, Gilberto Madail, said: '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.'

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