Cristiano Ronaldo fitness: Real Madrid forward expected to play for Portugal against Sweden and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The forward missed training yesterday

Only one of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will appear at next year's World Cup finals (AFP/Getty Images)

It has been billed as Cristiano Ronaldo v Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the World Cup play-off between Portugal and Sweden is in danger of missing one of the lead roles.

Ronaldo sat out training yesterday amid fears he will not be ready for the first leg in Portugal.

However, the latest update on the Real Madrid forward is that his absence from the session was a precautionary measure, and he should line-up against Sweden.

The former Manchester United player has an ongoing problem with his left foot, although he was fit enough to score a hat-trick in the demolition of Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Much has been made of the battle between two of the best players in the world, with one certain to miss out on a place at next summer's tournament in Brazil.

Room for one more: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot both go to the World Cup (GETTY IMAGES)