Injured Ronaldo out of Malta qualifier

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will not be fit to play in Portugal's final World Cup qualifier against Malta on Wednesday.

Ronaldo had shaken off a twisted ankle to start Saturday's Group One clash against Hungary, but lasted just 27 minutes of the 3-0 victory at the capital's La Luz stadium.

"After a latest clinical examination and the impossibility of recovering from the knock on his right ankle, Cristiano Ronaldo has been allowed to leave (the squad)," the federation said in a statement yesterday.

Ronaldo sprained an ankle playing for Real Madrid in a Champions League match against Marseille in late September and missed the club's defeat at Sevilla on Oct. 3.

He recovered ahead of the Hungary match, and on Friday told reporters he was almost fully fit, but the injury forced him off the pitch.

Portugal lie second in their group and need only to beat Malta at home to be sure of a place in the play-offs.