Queiroz to call on Ron

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is set to spark a club-versus-country row by calling up Cristiano Ronaldo for the World Cup play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Queiroz is desperate for the World Player of the Year to feature at some point as the Portuguese prepare for the first leg in Lisbon on 14th November and the return meeting scheduled for Zenica four days later.

Under Fifa guidelines Ronaldo would have to report for international duty should he receive a call-up but the latest medical reports from Real Madrid say the forward will be out of action for at least two more weeks with his ankle injury.

Los Blancos chief Manuel Pellegrini has said it is "impossible" for Ronaldo to play with Portugal but Queiroz hopes this is not the case.

The Portugal boss, who is set to name his squad on Sunday, told television channel TVI24 : "I'm going to call up Cristiano Ronaldo and I hope that he can help us, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Decision

"The specialists have to make the decision on if he can play. Naturally we are concerned, because the most important thing is the player.

"We want a great Ronaldo, we want a fit player and the first consideration is to know whether he is able to play and contribute anything to the national team."

The winger injured his ankle at the end of September in the UEFA Champions League match against Marseille but still started for Portugal just over 10 days later in their must-win qualifier against Hungary.

The former Manchester United star lasted less than half an hour of the clash after aggravating the injury.

He has since been forced to sit out Real's last seven fixtures and now looks set to also miss Saturday's trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will be also miss Real's attempt to overturn a 4-0 deficit against third-tier side Alcorcon in Tuesday's King's Cup last 32 tie at the Bernabeu.

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Portugal suffer Ronaldo blow

Portugal have suffered a big blow after Real Madrid confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo needs two more weeks of treatment on his injured ankle.

This means the star forward is set to miss Portugal's World Cup play-off ties against Bosnia on 14th November in Lisbon and four days later in Zenica.

Real confirmed his continuing lay-off on their website on Thursday after Niek van Dijk, the doctor in Amsterdam who treated the same ankle last year, conducted tests the day before.

He confirmed Ronaldo would require another two weeks of treatment before returning to consult him in Amsterdam in 15 days' time.

Problem

Earlier, the Portuguese Football Federation chief Gilberto Madail had expressed his hope that Ronaldo would play against Bosnia.

"Ronaldo wants to play, he will join the squad and will be examined by the medical team," he said.

"The situation is under control as there have been contacts between our coach, the Real Madrid coach, the player and the medical departments."

Ronaldo first picked up the problem during a UEFA Champions League meeting with Marseille in September.

He then aggravated the knock when turning out for Portugal in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Hungary on 10th October.

He has subsequently been forced to sit out Real's last seven fixtures and now looks set to also miss Saturday's trip to city rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will be also out as Real attempt to overturn a 4-0 deficit against third-tier side Alcorcon in Tuesday's King's Cup last 32 tie at the Bernabeu.

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Aguero - We can beat Real

Sergio Aguero believes Atletico Madrid are more than capable of beating their local rivals in the Madrid derby on Saturday.

Atletico face big spenders Real this weekend having held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week.

They have, however, been struggling on the domestic front and have picked up just seven points in nine league games so far this term.

Despite their shocking start, Aguero believes his side are more than capable of springing an upset when they host Manuel Pellegrini's side at Vicente Calderon.

Buoyed by his brace in the draw with Chelsea, the striker is in confident mood and believes now is the perfect time for Atletico to face their local rivals.

"We're in a complicated situation, but we have to lift our heads," he told the club's official website/i>.

"We know that we have a tough match on Saturday, but we can win and earn three points that we need so badly.

"It's a head-to-head match up and I believe that if we're focused as we've been in the last few games, that we're going to get a good result."

Priority

Aguero insists he is not concerned by Atletico's lowly status in La Liga and that his only concern is how well he is playing for the club.

"For me, the important thing is that I am playing well. I don't care what Madrid does.

"What interests me for the derby is that my team-mates and I are fine and that we get three points.

"Our fans want a victory now, just like we do. The only thing on our minds is the victory and getting three points from Saturday's match."

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Martinez admits Tamudo interest

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed his interest in signing Spanish ace Raul Tamudo.

The 32-year-old is currently in dispute with his club Espanyol.

Indeed, the Barcelona outfit could tear up his contract and free him.

Whilst Tamudo would not be able to move until January - Martinez, who first looked at the player in the summer, is ready to make a move for the Spanish international.

"Tamudo is on our list and yes, I would like him," Martinez is quoted by The People .

Ruud uncertain on future

Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy is keeping his options open as his contract runs down.

The former Manchester United forward is out of contract at the Bernabeu at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether he will be offered a new deal, or if he will move elsewhere.

Tottenham Hotspur came close to signing the Dutch international for just Ј1million last summer, but manager Harry Redknapp was reportedly put off by the 33-year-old's wage demands.

Van Nistelrooy made 150 appearances for United in a five-year spell in the Premier League, and despite spending nine months on the sidelines last season with a knee problem, could be an attractive option for a number of English clubs.

"In January I can negotiate, see what comes and what the club does," he said in The Sun .

"I'm fully fit now, healthy physically and mentally."

The Dutchman may be forced out of Madrid after the arrival of a number of summer signings, including first-choice striker Karim Benzema, and Real could yet add to their squad in January.

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Blues not thinking of Aguero

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists he is not thinking of buying Sergio Aguero as he makes plans to shackle the Atletico Madrid star in the UEFA Champions League.

The Blues have been persistently linked with a big-money move for the Argentine forward since the summer.

With Chelsea hopeful their current Fifa transfer embargo will be suspended following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, rumours continue.

But, ahead of Tuesday's trip to Atletico, Ancelotti is adamant that Aguero is not set to be the subject of a bid.

Quality

The Chelsea boss said: "For his age he (Aguero) is one of the most important and best-quality players in the world.

"Aguero is very young, he is a fantastic striker and has a lot of quality.

"Every big club are looking at this player, but we are not thinking of buying anyone again at this moment."

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Martinez in Tamudo hint

Wigan Athletic are stepping up their quest to sign Raul Tamudo in the January transfer window as the striker's relationship with Espanyol reached a new low this week.

Latics' boss Roberto Martinez is keen to take his fellow Catalan to the Premier League outfit as he needs a replacement after seeing Marlon King sacked by the club.

Tamudo has lost his status as an Espanyol idol after it was revealed by president Dani Sanchez Llibre that he had lied when he said he did not try to force a transfer last season.

With accusations flying back and forth in the local press, the Blanc i Blau have decided to off-load their former captain and all-time record goalscorer as soon as possible.

Contact

That has let Martinez in and he is already believed to have made contact with Tamudo's agent, Tomas Duran, to sound him out about the player joining Wigan.

Martinez has confirmed he is looking for striking reinforcements after losing jailed King.

"We are now one striker short. The squad is one body less and it is important we address that situation," Martinez told the Manchester Evening News .

"We are following different players in different leagues and different markets.

"In the long-term, we need to make sure not just regarding the striking position we keep improving, but helping the players we already have here become strikers."

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