Ronaldo set to make his Corinthians debut

SAO PAULO (AP) -Ronaldo's much anticipated comeback could happen earlier than expected.

Ronaldo will be on the bench for Corinthians' Brazilian Cup match against Itumbiara on Wednesday, and his coach said the veteran striker was likely to enter the match some time in the second half.

"He is ready to play 45 minutes and my intention is to start him on the bench,'' Corinthians coach Mano Menezes said Tuesday. "It's possible he will play some minutes in the second half, depending on how we are doing in the game.''

Ronaldo's debut had been scheduled for Sunday against Corinthians' archrival Palmeiras, but the striker's recent performances in practice led Menezes to move it up.

"He felt really good on the field,'' Menezes said. "We talked and I decided it was time to let him play.''

The 32-year-old striker hasn't played in an official match since undergoing left knee surgery in February 2008 while playing for AC Milan.

Ronaldo was trying to come back from a serious knee surgery for the third time in his career. In 1999, he tore up his right knee with Inter Milan and needed surgery, and a year later he twisted the same knee and was sidelined for several months after another surgery.

The striker recovered, however, helping to lead Brazil to its fifth world title in 2002 in South Korea and Japan. He was the tournament's top scorer with eight goals in seven matches - including two in the final against Germany.

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Associated Press Writer Tales Azzoni contributed to this report.