Portugal gear up for vital game

Portugal go into their EURO 2016 qualifier away to Armenia this Saturday with a two-point lead over Denmark and Albania.

Three days later the team play a friendly against Italy in Geneva. Armenia are bottom of the group having picked up only one point from their four games.

There is ongoing controversy regarding the group game between Serbia and Albania last October.

The match was awarded as a 3-0 win to Serbia, who were also deducted three points because home fans invaded the pitch and attacked Albania players when a drone carried a pro-Albanian flag over the stadium.

The decision was appealed by both Serbia and Albania, but was upheld by UEFA.

Both associations have filed further appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. There are 10 players from the Portugal Primeira Liga in the 25-man squad including Nani who has been on-loan at Sporting Lisbon from Manchester United during the past season.

Southampton defender and captain José Fonte will be hoping to add to his two caps.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla), Anthony Lopes (Lyon).

Defenders: Cédric (Sporting), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), José Fonte (Southampton), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Daniel Carriço (Sevilla), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid), Eliseu (Benfica).

Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting), Danilo (Marítimo), João Moutinho (Monaco), Tiago (Atlético Madrid), Adrien Silva (Sporting), André André (V. Guimarães), Pizzi (Benfica), Bernardo Silva (Monaco).

Forwards: Danny (Zenit), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Nani (Sporting), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Silvestre Varela (Parma), Éder (Braga).

By CHRIS WRIGHT