The Real Madrid superstar limped off during the recent match against Villarreal, and has since missed Real's 0-0 first leg draw against City as well as Saturday's 1-0 win at Real Sociedad.

Ahead of Saturday's game Real coach Zinedine Zidane suggested that the 31-year-old should be fine for Wednesday's match at the Bernabeu.

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But a report in the Mirror cites Portugal's national team doctor Dr Nuno Campos saying that Ronaldo needs at least another week off to recover from his problem - believed to be a slight hamstring tear.

“If the diagnosis is really a micro-tear, recovery lasts between 18 to 21 days – it takes 12 to 14 days to fully heal and another five to seven for muscle recovery work," said Campos.

“That is to say, with these recovery times, he should be out until May 10, so he would miss the game against City and also the league game against Valencia on May 8.

“It would be less if it were a contraction – then he could play against City.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the bench at Manchester City v Real Madrid Image credit: AFP

“If you do that, having a micro-tear, he risks aggravating the injury and jeopardising his participation in the Euros.

“Cristiano is not normal as he overcomes many limitations, but this is a physiological issue. It is difficult to be fit before 20 or 21 days.

“The treatment they say will do with stem cells may hasten recovery days, but few. It's complicated.”

OUR VIEW

No doubt Ronaldo will be desperate to play against City - but if Campos's information and prognosis is correct, it would be foolish for Real to risk him from the start. A 0-0 first leg draw was a fine result for the Madrid giants so they'll probably start without their talisman and hope to build a lead; then, if they need to chase the game later on, Ronaldo could be brought on as a super-sub.

Yet while that is all sensible and logical, there is one more thing to consider: City have often been lifeless in matches this season before they have scored, but pick up momentum and start to fly when they have taken the lead. If Real concede first, they will be forced to throw everything at City - who can sit back and defend before hitting on the break at their leisure. That's exactly the sort of situation that could see Manuel Pellegrini's men make it to the final, and in some style.

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