16/11/2005
Ronaldo and Baptista ready to return for Barca clash
Real Madrid's Brazilian forwards Ronaldo
and Julio Baptista will be fit for Saturday's league match against
arch-rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo damaged ankle ligaments in last month's victory over Atletico
Madrid, while Baptista suffered a knee injury during Real's 4-1 win over
Rosenborg the following week.
"If I wasn't feeling good I would be the first to say so, but the pain
is now minimal and I can put up with it," Baptista told a news
conference on Wednesday at the club's new training ground in Valdebebas.
"Ronaldo is in good shape too. He got injured three days before I did
and he's getting stronger every day. We both want to play."
French playmaker Zinedine Zidane and defender Ivan Helguera are also
back in full training and will be ready to play in Saturday's game at
the Bernabeu, but midfielder Thomas Gravesen and centre-back Jonathan
Woodgate will miss out through injury.
Real are third in the Primera Liga, three points adrift of surprise
leaders Osasuna and one behind Barcelona.