Player withdraws from Portugal squad through injury

Portugal are facing some injury concerns heading into their European Championship qualifying double-header this week.

As was already known, William Carvalho is facing some fitness concerns, the 27-year old midfielder suffering a muscle injury in training, though he does remain with the first-team squad.

The Real Betis midfielder is an integral part of how Portugal play under Fernando Santos, and Portugal fans will be hoping that he passes a late fitness test to face Luxembourg on the 11th October.

However, he is not the only potential absentee Portugal will have come Friday, with Benfica’s pacey winger Rafa Silva dismissed from international duty on Monday, meaning he is completely out of contention of both of Portugal’s matches this week.

At this point in time, it is unclear whether Fernando Santos will opt to call up a replacement for the 26-year old attacker, with his squad already boasting a wealth of attacking options.

Left back Mario Rui is also battling with an injury of his own, meaning that Portugal’s large 25-man squad is actually beginning to look a little stretched.

Portugal host Luxmebourg at 19:45 on Friday, before travelling to Kiev to play Ukraine at the same time on the 14th October.