Pellegrini happy to include Ronaldo in Real Madrid squad for FC Zurich tie

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini was happy to name Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad for tonight's Champions League tie with FC Zurich.

It remains to be seen how much action Ronaldo will get, if any, but it could be that Pellegrini will want to give the Portugal international at least a few minutes playing time ahead of this weekend's league showdown with Barca at the Nou Camp.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has done well in the last few training sessions, he is in the squad and we will see tomorrow if he plays," said Pellegrini.

With Ronaldo in the team, Madrid won each of their opening seven competitive matches, but since the £80million man was injured they have won only five of 10 outings - although four of those victories have come in their last five games.

Ronaldo also netted nine times in those first seven games, including a brace in a 5-2 away win over Zurich in their opening Champions League outing.

"It's impossible not to miss a player of Cristiano Ronaldo's quality. He is one of the best players in the world, but you cannot depend on one player and the team has responded well in his absence," added Pellegrini.