Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is set play the full game against former club Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday despite only just returning to action after injury.
The 31-year-old made his first appearance since damaging his knee in the Euro 2016 final at the weekend when he started Madrid's 5-2 LaLiga win over Osasuna.
Ronaldo made an immediate impact in that match as he opened the scoring early on before making way in the 65th minute with Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane wary of asking too much of his star striker ahead of a busy schedule.
Zidane will be determined not to overburden Ronaldo as he continues his comeback, but is also well aware of what it means to the Portugal international to face his first professional club Sporting.
The Frenchman told a press conference: "The idea is for him to play 90 minutes. I try to speak to Cristiano about other things than minutes because if you ask him he always wants to play 90 minutes.
"I'm always thinking about the two months he was out because that's a long time for a player(but) he's ready, we'll see what happens.
"Of course it's special for him because it's his club and he grew up there, but he's very professional and he will give everything as he always does.
"He'll be focused from the start."
Ronaldo, who came up through the ranks at Sporting before joining Manchester United in 2003, said of Wednesday's encounter on UEFA.com: "It's a special match, it's a special team.
"I wanted to draw Sporting again, because I think they have a good team, they have a good coach, and it will be another special moment in my life."
Despite Ronaldo saying he would like to finish his career at the Bernabau, Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho has admitted he would dearly like to see the prolific marksman see out his playing days at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: "I would love for Ronaldo to end his career here, at home.
"He represents a lot for us and it would be beautiful if he could end his career here.
"He is a world ambassador. He always speaks well about us and how fond he is of us.
"He will play a great game against us and we will of course have to try to limit him."
Madrid head into their Group F opener with the goal this season of trying to become the first team to win back-to-back Champions Leagues, having lifted their 11th European crown in May.
Zidane has virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from for the visit of Sporting, with only goalkeeper Keylor Navas and defender Fabio Coentrao unavailable.
Sporting coach Jorge Jesus, meanwhile, has named a 28-man travelling squad for the short trip across to Spain, with goalkeeper Azbe Jug the only absentee.
The Portuguese side, who have won their last 13 league matches, have only once progressed from the Champions League groups stages, back in the 2008/09 season.
Source: PA-WIRE
