Football: Kanu to link with Ronaldo

Nwankwo Kanu, Internazionale's Nigerian international forward whose career looked over last year after heart surgery, may join Ronaldo in the Italian club's friendly against Manchester United on Sunday.

Kanu, the 20-year-old star of Nigeria's victorious 1996 Olympic side, had surgery in the United States last November after a pre-season medical test revealed a congenital heart disease.

The Inter president, Massimo Moratti, said: "It's a sensational possibility. If he gets through the last medical tests, he'll be on the pitch on Sunday against Manchester United."

Kanu has only completed partial tests, but if the remaining checks are passed by Saturday, the club will have time to get his official medical clearance. He last played in a pre-season friendly on 24 August last year.

Ronaldo will definitely play despite the fact that his transfer from Barcelona is yet to be resolved. Fifa, the world governing body, cleared the way for Ronaldo to join Inter when it said this week he was free of any contractual obligations to Barcelona.