Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo can recover from his hamstring injury and feature against Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in the Champions League on April 5.
The Spanish giants confirmed on Sunday that the Portugal international will be out of all footballing action for the next two weeks at least because of a hamstring injury he picked up during their 2-1 derby victory over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Primera Division on Saturday evening.
The 26-year-old will miss Portugal’s international friendly games against Chile and Finland as well as Madrid’s league encounter with Sporting Gijon, but Mourinho is hopeful that he could return to action against Tottenham.
“We knew Cristiano Ronaldo’s trip to Portugal was just so that his national coach and the medical staff over there could check the tests he underwent in Madrid, which were very clear,” said the 48-year-old, according to Madrid’s official website. “I hope he recovers in time for our game against Tottenham Hotspur.
“Judging from the mentality he has, we believe he will make it, but it will be tight. A return like the one he had against Lyon to help the team will always be welcome.”
The Portuguese also explained about injured striker Gonzalo Higuain’s progress and stated: “Gonzalo Higuain played a practice game for the first time today. I used players from Castilla in order to have two sides of eleven players each.
“He played 60 minutes divided in two 30 minute halves. He’s not fit yet, obviously, but he’s walking. I don’t know if he’ll be ready to face Sporting, but he’ll be ready soon if not. We would welcome his return. It will be important to have him in order to face the many games we have yet to play until the end of the season.”
The former Chelsea and Inter coach further reiterated his desire to return to England at some point in his career but insists that he is happy at the Bernabeu and will respect his contract he has with the nine-time European champions.
“I’ve never hidden my desire to return to England some day, but there are three more years left on my contract and I intend to see them through and to work hard to make the board, the fans and the players happy,” said Mourinho.
“If I manage to do this I will see those three remaining years through and maybe even carry on with a new contract. I currently feel everyone is happy with the job we’re doing. Real Madrid is my near future.”
