[D-Kin]

Milan receive Ronnie boost Tuesday 11 December, 2007

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Ronaldo is back in training and Milan teammate Andrea Pirlo hopes he can lead the Diavolo to Club World Cup glory.

The Rossoneri start their bid for world supremacy against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds on Thursday morning.

Ronaldo isn’t expected to feature, but he could play in the Final on December 16 as he has shaken of the worst of a calf injury sustained in the warm-up at Benfica a fortnight ago.

“He has such a desire to return and he has been very close to us over the last few days as we really need him, but he is especially important on the pitch,” Pirlo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He is a player who can make a difference. I hope that he can increase his training this week and also play.

“This is a trophy that my lots of my teammates and I are lacking. We have had the chance to play in this competition and we want to go the whole way.”

Milan have been careful not to underestimate Thursday’s opponents after Urawa beat Iranian side Sepahan.

“We watched them yesterday and they were aggressive and had good players and fans,” Pirlo stressed.

“I was really impressed by their striker Washington, Tulio and the left winger with the No 1 shirt Soma who was at the heart of everything his team created.”

FIFA intend to use the Club World Cup to experiment with new goal line technology, using a microchip in the ball.

“The referees and Adidas officials have come and explained everything,” the Azzurri midfielder explained.

“Near the two goals there are magnetic sensors that will let the referee know when the ball completely crosses the line.

“In any case, putting a microchip in the ball won’t influence the shape of feel of the ball in any way.“

Pirlo concluded by revealing the difficulties he has experienced in changing time zone.

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