Portugal pick Ronaldo for play-offs

Ronaldo's call up by coach Carlos Queiroz is likely to escalate a row that has developed in the last week between the Portuguese Football Federation and the Spanish club.

Real said the winger needs two more weeks of treatment on the ankle injury he picked up in late September and aggravated in Portugal's 3-0 win over Hungary 10 days later.

But Queiroz said on Friday he would call up the winger to help Portugal "even if just for a few minutes" and on Sunday Ronaldo's name was on the list of players for the play-off.

Earlier on Sunday, Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano had told Spanish television that playing Ronaldo now would be a serious mistake.

"You have to remember that he injured himself again playing for Portugal and so he's a long way from being a player who lacks commitment.

"Perhaps it's an excess of commitment (that) has put us in this situation. Making the same mistake again would be a great deal more serious," he said.

Valdano added that Real Madrid would be sending all the information on the injury to Portugal's doctors on Monday.

Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario and Benfica midfielder Fabio Coentrao were called intot he squad for the first time.

Queiroz had said he would include them for the play-off games in Lisbon on November 14 and in Zenica four days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hilario (Chelsea), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting).

Defenders: Ricardo Costa (VfL Wolfsburg), Bruno Alves (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel (Valencia), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Rolando (Porto).

Midfielders: Deco (Chelsea), Duda (Malaga), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Miguel Veloso (Sporting), Raul Meireles (Porto), Tiago (Juventus).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Liedson (Sporting), Nani (Manchester United), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Edinho (Malaga).