Ronaldo boosts Portugal's WC hopes after returning to train with squad

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly boosted the squad's hope on Saturday as he returned to training after leg injuries that were threatening to wreck his FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The star striker, who had been struggling for weeks with thigh and knee injuries that forced him out of Portugal's last two warm-up matches, took part in the training with the rest of the squad in New Jersey, US, and could reportedly be fit for a return to competitive action on Tuesday in a friendly with Ireland.

According to Sport24, Ronaldo, whose injury had raised fears that he might miss the start of the Brazil tournament, did stretching and passing drills with his teammate during training.

Portugal will reportedly kick-off their World Cup campaign against Germany on June 16 in Group G, which also features USA and Ghana.

Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Raul Meireles also trained with the complete squad on Saturday and key defender Pepe, who had missed his club Real Madrid's Champions League victory because of injury, stepped up his return to the national squad but remains on a separate rehabilitation program, the report added.