Morning Ticker: Ronaldo remains sidelined, van der Sar bashed and more

by FRANCO PANIZO

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player in the world, but his spot in next year's World Cup will be determined when Portugal and Bosnia square off in a two-legged playoff later this month. There is only one problem for Ronaldo: He may not have a say in if Portugal qualifies.

Ronaldo, who suffered an ankle injury in Champions League play in early October before aggravating it on international duty, was expected to return to action by now, but the ankle has shown little improvement. The Real Madrid attacker is expected to remain sidelined for at least another two weeks, putting him in jeopardy of missing Portugal's playoff against Bosnia.

Despite his uncertain availability, Ronaldo is expected to join Portugal for the Nov. 14 and 18 matches, and will be examined by its medical team.

Here are some more stories to help start your Friday:

Kuszczak blasts van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar is known for being the most capped player in Netherlands national team history, but to one of his colleagues he is known for being a terrible teammate.

Fellow Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has labeled van der Sar a selfish teammate, stating that the former Dutch international refuses to pass down advice to him. Kuszczak, who has six caps for Poland's national team, also vented frustration about the lack of games he is getting for the Red Devils.

UPDATE - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Kuszczak's attack was a joke, and that there is no rift between his two goalkeepers.

Uruguay releases roster

Diego Forlan, Walter Gargano and Martin Caceres headline a loaded 26-man roster that Uruguay will use for its two-legged playoff series against Costa Rica later this month.

Among the players included by head coach Oscar Washington Tabarez is midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, an uncapped 20-year-old who has helped lead Nacional to the top of the Uruguayan Apertura championship. (Uruguay's entire roster can be seen here.)

Uruguay travels to the cauldron that is Saprissa Stadium on Nov. 14, and then plays host at the hostile Estadio Centenario in Montevideo four days later.

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Do you think Portugal can beat Bosnia without Ronaldo? Hoping he misses out on the World Cup? Does Kuszczak have a legitimate complaint, or is he just being a baby? Think Uruguay will knock off Costa Rica with that roster?

Share your thoughts below.