Cristiano Ronaldo is no closer to a return to action after tests on the Real Madird superstar's troublesome ankle determined that there had been no improvement after a month on the sidelines.

The news will no doubt prove massively frustrating to the FIFA World Player of the Year, while it will be down right worrying for both Real and Portugal, who face Bosnia-Hercegovina in their World Cup play-off from the November 14th.

Ronaldo suffered the original injury during a UEFA Champions League match against Marseille at the end of September before aggravating the problem in a World Cup qualifier for his country against Hungary a month ago.

And although the 24-year-old had been talking up chances of his imminent return, even insisting that he was fit for Tuesday night's clash with AC Milan, his words appear to have been nothing more than bravado.

CR9 will not even be fit for this weekend's derby against Atletico Madrid, after it was confirmed by his club that he would be seeing Dutch ankle specialist Niek van Dijk, not to be confused with the star of Diagnosis Murder, Dick, in the coming days.

Recent tests on the star's ankle have actually revealed that there had been no improvement in the problem, and so the former Manchester United ace will be forced to remain on the treatment table.

Real have suffered in 'Ronnie's' absence, he hit nine goals as Los Blancos won their opening seven matches in all competitions this season, but have managed just two wins in the seven games since he sustained the injury.