Ronaldo has ankle injury– club

Real Madrid’s Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a training session yesterday, is suffering from an ankle injury, the Spanish club said.

“Cristiano Ronaldo was subjected to a medical check before today’s training session. Results show an inflamed tendon in his right ankle,” Real said.

“The player will have medical treatment and physiotherapy, and will be monitored for the next 24-48 hours.”

The 25-year-old striker took part in Real’s humiliating 5-0 loss away to arch-rivals Barcelona on Monday. The injury means he may be forced to miss Real’s next league match on Saturday against Valencia.

Real Madrid also announced yesterday that Brazilian playmaker Kaka is set to return to training after four months out of action through injury.

“A specific field work regime that should see the player rejoin the team by the initial deadline, has been prescribed following a meeting between the club’s medics and the player’s personal doctor,” Real said.

When the 28-year-old underwent surgery on his knee at the beginning of August, Real predicted he would be sidelined for up to four months.

Sports newspaper Marca said two weeks ago that Kaka would return in January.

Kaka joined Real from Milan for €65 million in June 2009 at the same time as Ronaldo but had a disappointing first season with the Spanish club due to niggling injury problems.

His postion has been filled by Germany’s Mesut Ozil, who joined Real before the start of the current season from Werder Bremen.