Nani back in Portugal squad for Russia qualifier

27 May 2013 13:17

Manchester United winger Nani is back in the Portugal squad for next month's crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia in Lisbon.

The 26-year-old has suffered a frustrating injury-plagued season and was not part of the squad for the last Group F matches against Israel and Azerbaijan.

The one new face in coach Paulo Bento's group is Sporting Lisbon midfielder Andre Martins.

Portugal, who lost 1-0 in Moscow in a previous qualifier, are desperate for a win on June 7 to keep their direct qualification hopes alive.

Russia have a maximum 12 points from four matches, one more than Portugal and Israel, who have both played two more games.

Squad:

Goalkeeprs:

Beto (Sevilla/ESP), Eduardo (Istanbul BB/TUR), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders:

Bruno Alves (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid/ESP), Sereno (Real Valladolid/ESP), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Luis Neto (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Silvio (Deportivo La Coruna/ESP), Ricardo Costa (Valencia/ESP)

Midfielders:

Custodio (Sporting Braga), Joao Moutinho (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce/TUR), Ruben Amorim (Sporting Braga), Ruben Micael (Sporting Braga), Andre Martins (Sporting Lisbon)

Forwards:

Vieirinha (Wolfsburg/GER), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas/TUR), Helder Postiga (Real Zaragoza/ESP), Silvestre Varela (Porto), Nani (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Oliveira (Deportivo La Coruna/ESP)

Source: AFP