Cristiano Ronaldo's ankle injury is likely to keep him out of Portugal's World Cup qualifier against Malta on Wednesday, national coach Carlos Queiroz said.

"Probably (we have lost him for the Malta game). Ronaldo's situation requires another, more detailed exam, but I have already spoken to the medical team and the probabilities are not very cheering," Queiroz said.

Ronaldo limped off in the 27th minute of Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary yesterday.

He sprained an ankle playing for Real Madrid in a Champions League match against Marseille in late September and missed the club's last league match, a 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 with less than a third of the match played.

Portugal are second in Group One and will secure a playoff berth if they beat Malta in their last qualifier on Wednesday.

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