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.
ProblemEarlier, 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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