Viana replaces Martins after five-year absence
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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SC Braga's Hugo Viana, who has not been involved with Portugal for nearly five years, has been called up to Paulo Bento's UEFA EURO 2012 squad in place of the injured Carlos Martins.
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Portugal coach Paulo Bento has been forced to alter his 23-man UEFA EURO 2012 squad following the withdrawal of Granada CF midfielder Carlos Martins.
Martins, named in Bento's original party last week, underwent an examination on Wednesday which confirmed a left calf injury that has ruled him out of contention for next month's final tournament. Called up in his place is SC Braga's Hugo Viana, who has not been in a Portugal squad since his last appearance, against Kuwait in June 2007.
The 29-year-old, who has won 26 caps, was named on Bento's initial list of reserves and has now been included for the trip to Poland and Ukraine. Portugal's preparations for UEFA EURO 2012 continue with friendlies against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Saturday and against Turkey on 2 June. Bento's charges begin the tournament against Germany in Lviv on 9 June.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (SL Benfica), Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Beto (CFR 1907 Cluj).
Defenders: João Pereira (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid CF), Bruno Alves (FC Zenit St Petersburg), Rolando (FC Porto), Ricardo Costa (Valencia CF), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), Miguel Lopes (SC Braga).
Midfielders: Raúl Meireles (Chelsea FC), Miguel Veloso (Genoa CFC), João Moutinho (FC Porto), Rúben Micael (Real Zaragoza), Hugo Viana (SC Braga), Custódio (SC Braga).
Forwards: Nani (Manchester United FC), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Hugo Almeida (Beşiktaş JK), Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş JK), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto), Hélder Postiga (Real Zaragoza), Nélson Oliveira (SL Benfica).
