Cristiano Ronaldo out of Tottenham tie, claims Jose Mourinho

01 April 2011 15:28
Tottenham have been handed a major boost ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, after Jose Mourinho claimed Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Tuesday's first-leg tie. [LNB]The Real Madrid star has been struggling with a thigh injury which forced him out of Portugal's recent friendlies.[LNB]Sportsmail's Pete Jenson on the conundrum facing Mourinho over Ronaldo Down and out: Real Madrid star Ronaldo is set to miss the first leg in the Bernabeu[LNB]And Mourinho has hinted the Tottenham match will come too soon for the former Manchester United winger.[LNB]Ronaldo will not play on Saturday against Sporting Gijon after having been left out of the squad along with Karim Benzema and Marcelo. [LNB]Mourinho said: Madrid's medical staff have told me that Ronaldo, Marcelo and Benzema can only play in Bilbao.' (Real Madrid's home game next weekend). [LNB] Mind games? Mourinho says he has been told Ronaldo will only be fit for the league game against Bilbao - which comes after the Spurs clash [LNB]The coach's assessment left room forseveral interpretations. He has been asked about the players'participation in Saturday's home game and could have been responding interms of the next league game they would be available before. [LNB]Tottenham fans however, will be hoping he was also ruling the former Manchester United star out of the quarter-final first leg. [LNB]On a brighter note for Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain could make an earlier-than-expected return following back surgery. [LNB]The Argentina striker has been included in the squad for Saturday's game, and Mourinho said: 'His recovery is a positive surprise because we thought he may miss up to the final 15 games of the season and having him is important.'[LNB]FOLLOW PETE JENSON, OUR MAN IN SPAIN, ON TWITTER  Game in Spain: Blistering or burnt-out - which Ronaldo will turn up for Spurs?Boost for Tottenham with injured Real star Ronaldo doubtful for Euro clash Mourinho's Real Madrid don't scare us, says Spurs midfielder SandroSpurs scouts have reasons to be cheerful after Real win against Atletico [LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail