[Warchant]

I don't know if this has been posted somewhere else, if it has...sorry, this is the news section

AC Milan welcome back Brazilian striker Ronaldo for Tuesday night's Champions League Group D showdown at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Ronaldo has fully recovered from a thigh injury and is set to make his season debut in Ukraine.

"I am delighted to return," said Ronaldo. "I am once again a player and I am very happy. I know my quality and I know what I can give Milan. This is my start to the season and I am ready. If I score it would be all the more special."

The Rossoneri are in need of a boost in confidence after Saturday's goalless draw at Torino denied Milan their first Serie A win this season at the San Siro.

With Milan 11 points adrift of leaders Internazionale and their poor run at home continuing, the Rossoneri will consider themselves lucky to finish fourth in the standings by season's end.

"We could have done better and the result is a disappointment," admitted coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"We are now seven points behind fourth place (Juventus) but we can still do it."

The Rossoneri's main focus this campaign is on defending their European crown.

Milan will be looking to pick up where they left off in last month's 4-1 home triumph against Shakhtar which saw them climb to the top of the group, level on six points with the Ukrainian giants.

Ancelotti is well aware of what is at stake as a victory at the Olympiyskiy Stadium would allow Milan to take command of their group.

"If we win, we will take a big step towards progressing to the next round," he said.

The hosts go into the game inspired by their 1-0 derby victory over Metallurg Donetsk.

Fernandinho's 88th-minute header allowed Mircea Lucescu's side to maintain their advantage at the Ukraine Premier League summit.

It was all the more significant considering Shakhtar were forced to play with 10 men for the last quarter of the game after Ilsinho was sent off.

"I liked how my players reacted to Ilsinho's dismissal," said Lucescu. "They did not break but, on the contrary, they improved a lot.

"We played better with 10 men than eleven. It was hard for my players to find their game because they were already thinking about Milan.

"I would like us to play against Milan in the same way we played the second half against Metallurg."

Milan welcome back goalkeeper Dida, who missed the opening leg encounter against Shakhtar through suspension.

The Italians will have to do without Czech wing-back Marek Jankulovski, who is still out of action through a knee injury.

[mishie]

At last!!! been waiting for this all season, goals are coming!!! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

The only thing that makes me worries is that he starts against Shakhtar, a well known rough and brutal team. I just pray they don't hit his bones,...