Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to make his long awaited return to action when Real Madrid entertains Swiss side FC Zurich in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Portuguese international has been out of action with an ankle injury that he picked up on international duty at the start of October.

Now he returns at exactly the right moment, as his side look to qualify for the last 16 of the competition, just four days ahead of Sunday's visit to the Camp Nou Stadium.

Real Madrid should have few problems against a side that it defeated 5-2 away from home.

However, Manuel Pellegrini's players would do well to remember that their goals arrived in injury time after the Swiss team had fought back to 3-2 from 3-0 down back in September.

Pellegrini could use the match as to give an opportunity to captain Raul Gonzalez, who has been out of favor of late. That would allow him to rest Gonzalo Higuain or Karim Benzema ahead of the trip to Barcelona.

With Real Madrid, AC Milan and Marseilles all within a point of each other at the top of Group C, Real needs a win to avoid a potential banana skin in its last group game, which is away to Marseilles in two week time.

Pellegrini also knows the advantages of finishing top of the group and the need for a positive performance to avoid further criticism of his direction of the team.

Ronaldo is unlikely to start the game, but will certainly get minutes as a substitute as he aims to be 100 percent fit for the Camp Nou.

【体坛英语资讯：Cristiano Ronaldo back for key Real Madrid match】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Visiting Shanghai Sharks lose NBA pre-season game against Houston Rockets 94-131

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Celebs at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Kate Mosss Doherty detox: Can she kick the habit?

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beckham takes captains armband for friendly

★ 体坛英语资讯：China trounces Singapore 7-1 in AFC U-19

★ 娱乐英语资讯：My China Now short films unveiled in London gallery

★ 体坛资讯：Iraq coach praises players for winning Asian Cup

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federers stomach bug gives rivals a lift

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bitter battles about the rights to athletes

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Emmy Awards nominations announced