Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari announced his squad for the World Cup preparation friendlies against Croatia and Northern Ireland in November.

Sporting Braga goalkeeper Paulo Santos is the only player from the 20-man squad to be called up for the first time, as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is trying to fill gaps in his injury-hit team for the two friendly games. Benfica's Quim Silva, the regular goalkeeper substitute, is injured and has not been included in the squad.

Dynamo Moscow duo Jorge Ribeiro and Nuno Frechaut, neither of whom have featured since May, and striker Helder Postiga, who has been dropped by FC Porto, were also included. Portugal is without the injured Barcelona playmaker Deco and Everton leftback Nuno Valente for the November the 12th game against Croatia, and the trip to Northern Ireland four days later.

Luis Figo, who came out of retirement to help Portugals World Cup qualifying efforts, was not included in the squad, reportedly at the request of his club, Inter Milan. Scolari said he has already decided on 90 percent of his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Germany.

Portugal Squad:

Goalkeepers: Paulo Santos (Sporting Braga), Ricardo Pereira (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders: Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Jorge Andrade (Deportivo la Coruna), Jorge Ribeiro (Dynamo Moscow), Miguel (Valencia), Caneira (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Costinha (Dynamo Moscow), Frechaut (Dynamo Moscow), Petit (Benfica), Joao Alves (Sporting Lisbon), Tiago (Lyon), Simao (Benfica), Luis Boa Morte (Fulham), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).

Strikers: Pauleta (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Helder Postiga (FC Porto).

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