Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Portugal coach has called on Porto defender Nuno Valente, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and International veteran Luis Figo to join the National squad on Thursday for the all important FIFA World Cup group three qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Russia.

Valente is a surprise inclusion for the fact that he has been warming Porto's bench this season, and has not been called on in Portugal's last three international matches.

"Big Phil" Scolari, who formerly managed Gremio and Palmeiras in Brazil, moved on to coach Brazil, and then went on to win the World Cup in the 2002 finals in Korea/Japan with his National team, has named a strong squad to try and confirm Portugal's place in next summers finals.

The first home game against Luxembourg should not prove too much of a challenge, but, in contrast, the trip to Moscow four days later is a very different proposition.

With Russia currently placed in third position in Group 3 of the European qualifying zone, behind Slovakia, the Russians will be in a must-win situation. Although their game in hand over Slovakia is against minnows Liechtenstein, their points, (should they win), would only equal that of Slovakia on 18 points, but their goal difference will no doubt still be short of the mark to take second spot. Portugal are top of Group Three with 20 points from eight games.

Scolari has also called up midfielders Maniche, (real name Nuno Ricardo Oliveira Ribeiro), and Francisco Costinha (who both play with Dynamo Moscow), along with Barcelona supremo Deco, winner today of the UEFA Champions League award for best midfielder in 2004/5 season in an awards ceremony in Monaco.

Squad to be chosen from:

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting), Quim Silva (Benfica).

Defenders: Alex (VfL Wolfsburg), Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho (both Chelsea), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo Coruna), Nuno Valente (Porto), Fernando Meira (Stuttgart), Marco Caneira (Valencia).

Midfielders: Costinha and Maniche (both Dynamo Moscow), Armando Petit (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (Sporting), Deco (Barcelona).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Porto), Pauleta (Paris St Germain).

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