Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training as Real Madrid prepare for Manchester City Champions League second leg... and Spanish papers say the 'cannon is ready'

The Spanish sports newspapers have hailed the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to training as Real Madrid prepare to take on Manchester City for a place in the Champions League final.

With the semi-final tie poised at 0-0 after last week's first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Ronaldo could well make the difference at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Their Portuguese talisman returned to training on Sunday following a thigh injury and this has made the headlines in Spain. 

Cristiano Ronaldo took part in the Real Madrid training session on Sunday as he bids to make his return

The headline on Spanish sports daily Marca read 'The Cannon is ready' ahead of Ronaldo's return

AS report that Ronaldo is 'full of optimism' ahead of Real's return with Manchester City

Ronaldo (right) receives the ball as he looks to prove his fitness for Wednesday night's match against City

Ronaldo keeps up the ball during the training session as Real Madrid prepare for the Champions League semi

Marca's headline read 'The cannon is ready' two days ahead of the showdown, adding the good news that Ronaldo 'no longer feels pain in his muscle'.

They say Ronaldo was 'euphoric' as he passed a fitness test and trained with the rest of the Real squad on Sunday.

AS picture Ronaldo on the ball in training with the headline 'Cristiano full of optimism' and quote him as saying: 'The Champions League is special, I play each game as if it were my first.' 

Ronaldo controls the ball as the Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane watches on in the foreground

 Ronaldo limped off against Villarreal on April 20 and has been absent for the following three matches

 Ronaldo was absent for the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Manchester City at the Etihad

Ronaldo limped off the field in the closing stages of Real's 3-0 win over Villarreal on April 20 and has been absent for three matches, including the goalless draw against City.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old trained with his team-mates for the first half of the session before working individually for the remainder while coach Zinedine Zidane watches on.

Prior to his injury, Ronaldo had played every minute in this season's Primera Division, scoring 31 times. He is the leading scorer in the Champions League this campaign with 16 goals from 10 appearances