'Big Phil' names squad

Portugal, who are hosting this summer’s European Championship finals, will be captained by Lazio centre back Fernando Couto, while featuring at right-back will be Porto’s Paulo Ferreira, who was recently selected by UEFA in their 2003 Team of the Year. But, there is no place among the 22 names chosen for former national team captain Vítor Baía, in a move that could signal the end of the veteran Porto keeper’s international career.

However, it is in midfield that the home team could cause Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side most problems, especially with an attacking trio of Luís Figo, Rui Costa and Deco that bristles with attacking brio and intent.

However, rather surprisingly given his outstanding display for Portugal’s Under-21 team against their English counterparts at Goodison Park last year, Barcelona winger Ricardo Quaresma has been omitted from the squad.

Visiting supporters to the Algarve will recognise Newcastle United midfield player Hugo Viana, who could be handed his ninth international cap, Fulham forward Luis Boa Morte and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Household names missing from the squad include Tottenham Hotspur striker Hélder Postiga, Sérgio Conceição of Internazionale, while Benfica front man Nuno Gomes, who scored the winning goal against the Three Lions the last times the two teams met in a competitive fixture four years ago, is absent injured. And the former Brazil national team coach has also selected 19-year-old Leiria striker Hugo Almeida, who is line to make his debut.

In attack Scolari, who described the fixture as "an interesting test to see how the players react with the tournament drawing closer", is expected to pair in-form Paris-Saint Germain’s Pedro Pauleta with ex-Barcelona playmaker Simão Sabrosa in what should prove to be a testing encounter for the visitors.

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting Lisbon), Quim Silva (Braga)

Defenders: Miguel Monteiro (Benfica), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Fernando Couto (Lazio, Italy), Beto Severo (Sporting Lisbon), Rui Jorge (Sporting Lisbon), Nuno Valente (Porto), Paulo Ferreira (Porto), Ricardo Carvalho (Porto)

Midfielders: Rui Costa (AC Milan, Italy), Luis Figo (Real Madrid, Spain), Armando Petit (Benfica), Francisco Costinha (Porto), Deco Souza (Porto), Tiago Mendes (Benfica)

Forwards: Simão Sabrosa (Benfica), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham, England), Pedro Pauleta (Paris St Germain, France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, England), Hugo Viana (Newcastle United, England), Hugo Almeida (Uniao Leiria)