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World Cup 2014: Portugal given boost as Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training to dampen fears he could miss Brazil 2014 through injury

Ronaldo has been suffering from a knee and thigh injury but returned to training on the eve of the tournament

Friday 13 June 2014 10:45 BST

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training for Portugal ahead of the World Cup (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has given Portugal a boost on the eve of the World Cup by resuming training.

There were concerns the Real Madrid player may miss the opening Group G game against Germany because of knee and thigh problems.

However, the Portuguese Football Association gave an encouraging update on Saturday, nine days before the opener in Salvador.

The FPF statement read: "Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Meireles integrated with the remaining group of players."

Midfielder Meireles had been struggling with a muscular problem.

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

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1/8The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Real Madrid player has the capacity to take Portugal deep into the competition all by himself. If he's fit that is. The Portuguese FA have confirmed the £80m man is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee, as well as a muscular problem in his left thigh. It's seen him miss the recent warm-up match with Greece and he's expected to miss Portugal's other remaining warm-up games. Portugal's first game is against Germany on June 16.

GETTY IMAGES

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Robin van Persie

The Netherlands forward has been forced to play down concerns after he was withdrawn at half-time in the recent warm-up match with Wales. The Manchester United striker said it was just a precaution, but that he was sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury towards the end of the season and reports of a groin problem persisting, the Dutchman has to be considered a doubt. Louis van Gaal will be keeping his fingers crossed that his side's leading striker will be ready for their first game against Spain on June 13.

AFP

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Luis Suarez

There is no doubt over the injury concerns surrounding Luis Suarez. The Liverpool striker underwent knee surgery and is in a race to return in time. Varied reports over his recovery have been emanating from the Uruguay camp, with England among those paying close attention with the teams due to meet in Sao Paulo on June 19. His Liverpool team-mates in the England squad have said they expect to face the Premier League golden boot winner at the World Cup.

EPA

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Wayne Rooney

England's talisman was shunted out to the left in the most recent warm-up match against Ecuador - but it did see him pick up a goal in the 2-2 draw. Questions over the Manchester United striker's fitness in the build-up to the tournament and that he was the only player to start both England's most recent games suggest there are concerns. He looks set to start in England's first game of the tournament against Italy on June 14, but will he be as sharp as he can be?

Getty Images

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

One England player certainly up against it is Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain. The youngster was hurt in the warm-up match against Ecuador and faces roughly two-weeks on the sidelines.

Getty Images

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Diego Costa

He might have been fit enough to pass a medical for Chelsea but there is uncertainty over whether he will be ready for Spain's first game of the tournament against Netherlands. Vicente del Bosque took something of a risk including the Brazilian born player who is suffering with a thigh muscle problem, particular considering the Spain manager left Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo at home. He and all of Spain will be hoping Costa can replicate the form that helped Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title, rather than see a repeat of when he hobbled off in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

Getty Images

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Manuel Neuer

The Germany goalkeeper has not played since picking up a shoulder injury in the German cup final three weeks ago and is a major doubt for the tournament. Easily the best keeper in the world, the 28-year-old will miss his country's final warm-up game against Armenia. If Neuer, who is yet to train with the team, is ruled out then Borussia Dortmund stopper Roman Weidenfeller will step in.

GETTY IMAGES

The best players struggling to be ready in time for the World Cup

Yaya-toure.jpg

The Ivory Coast midfielder is struggling to be fit in time for his side's opener against Japan. Toure has been struggling with a thigh injury since mid-April and has not completed a full training session with the Elephants. The dominant 31-year-old, Manchester City's star man in their Premier League title win, went to Qatar for treatment at the end of the season but has not been able to play in either warm-up game against Bosnia or El Salvador.

Getty Images

However, central defender Pepe worked away from the main group of players as he continued his recovery from a leg injury.

The statement added: "Pepe is carrying out his rehabilitation and sport specific exercises in the field individually."

PA

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