Portugal's World Cup hopes boosted as Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training

Ronaldo is back in training

Cristiano Ronaldo has given Portugal a boost on the eve of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil by resuming training.

The Real Madrid forward has been struggling with tendinosis in his knee and a muscle injury in his left thigh since the end of the domestic campaign and there were serious fears that he could miss Portugal’s opening game of the World Cup against Germany on June 16.

However, the Portuguese Football Association confirmed encouraging news on Saturday, nine days before the country's opener in Salvador.

The FPF statement read: "Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Meireles integrated with the remaining group of players."

Despite his injuries, Ronaldo has spoken of his desire to win the World Cup with his national side. And while the national team captain admits Portugal are not favourites for the World Cup – they have been drawn in a group with Germany, Ghana and the United States – he said he would like to win a title with the national team ‘one day’.

“We aren’t favourites but we will try to perform our best as always. We know we have a difficult group stage,”

“In my opinion, we have the strongest group of the World Cup, but we should take it one step at a time. We have an important opener against Germany, before we face Ghana and finally the United States. Our goal is obviously to pass the group stage and then we’ll see.”

Midfielder Meireles had been struggling with a muscular problem. However, central defender Pepe worked away from the main group of players as he continued his recovery from a leg injury.

The statement added: "Pepe is carrying out his rehabilitation and sport specific exercises in the field individually."