11.   Ronaldo, a two-time FIFA player of the year, returned to action in the fall after a two-year absence due to severe right knee injuries.

12.   Ronaldo returned to action earlier this season following a two-year injury absence due to a torn right knee ligament and then was hurt again in December.

13.   The African centerforward has been AC Milan leading scorer in the current campaign, despite a one-month absence due to a broken arm.

14.   The Italian skier said she went beyond her expectations as she returned to action this month after a long absence due to back pains.

15.   The striker was fed by Italian superstar Baggio, who made a successful comeback following a three-month absence due to a knee injury.

16.   Valencia managed a consolation goal by Bulgarian striker Luboslav Penev, who recently returned to the lineup after a lengthy absence due to surgery this summer.

17.   Yeltsin is on the rebound after a long absence due to heart ailments, a quintuple bypass operation and pneumonia.

18.   Energy markets are awaiting the eventual return of the Iraqi oil giant with trepidation after its lengthy absence due to UN sanctions.

19.   Wood was expected to return to action last weekend against Italy after a lengthy absence due to a calf injury.

20.   Jean-Jacques Eydelie is expected to return for Bastia after his absence due to the latest court session of the Valenciennes-Olympique Marseille match-rigging trial.