Struggling Real Madrid will have to do without Cristiano Ronaldo for next week’s Champions League clash with AC Milan after results of an MRI scan on the Portugal international’s ankle injury revealed he is still not ready to return.

Ronaldo, who first sustained the injury during the Champions League match against Marseille in September and then aggravated it while playing for Portugal against Hungary, had hoped to be back in time for the Milan clash.

But the Primera Division club today confirmed he will be out of action at least until he undergoes another test in one week’s time.

That means the €94 summer signing from Manchester United will not only miss this weekend’s derby against Getafe at the Bernabeu, but also the return meeting with Milan next Tuesday when Madrid will try to bounce back from their 3-2 home defeat to the Italians last week.

Today’s news is another blow for Madrid, who have won just once in five matches without the world’s most expensive player, losing three times including last night’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Segunda Division B side Alcorcon in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 32 tie.

Ronaldo had enjoyed a flying start to the season, netting nine goals in Madrid’s opening seven league and Champions League games, all of which were won.