Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has been sent home early from Portugal's squad following their friendly win over Sweden.
Fernandes scored and provided an assist as Portgual earned a 5-2 win over Sweden in Guimaraes on Thursday.
The midfielder was one of five players in the starting line-up to complete the full 90 minutes of the friendly.
Man City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva also completed the match, along with Fulham's Joao Palhinha and goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez confirmed post-match that Fernandes, Dias, Silva and Palhinha were among eight players who will be released early from the squad and will not feature against Slovenia..
‘It's important to work on different concepts, especially because Slovenia has a very similar structure [to Sweden], also with two strikers.
'So the players who leave are all taken care of, they are: Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, João Palhinha, Nélson Semedo, Toti Gomes, Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes and Gonçalo Ramos.
‘There are eight players and another eight players who also arrive at a high level for the second game, with hunger and a lot of energy, I hope.’
According to The Athletic, Fernandes will link up with Manchester United after the international break.
It followed Man United boss Erik ten Hag giving players not on international duty this week off.
Fernandes, who has played 38 matches for Man United this season, will be able to recuperate ahead of their next match against Brentford on March 30.
Dias and Silva will next be in action when Man City face Arsenal in a key match in the Premier League title race on March 31.
Portugal continued their preparations for Euro 2024 in style on Thursday, with Rafael Leao and Matheus Nunes gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in their friendly with Sweden.
Fernandes struck before half-time with Bruma adding to Portugal's advantage in the second half.
Goncalo Ramos scored a fifth for Portugal, either side of goals from the in-demand Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres and Gustaf Nilsson.
Martinez's side face Slovenia in their next friendly on March 26.
Portugal have won all 11 matches since the Belgian took over as coach, scoring 49 goals and conceding just four.
impeccablechoice
523
objection my Lord! I have experienced this before! this one that all man u players are coming back from both injury and international break hope all will be well with Brentford come Sunday? the last time just four players returned from injury: Liverpool can give you the full gist,to cut the long story short "they walked alone"
malablata
303
The same rubbish that destabilized Portugal at the world cup and cost the team the trophy is what starting again, and it's coming from the same players, Bruno and Cancelo. The earlier Portugal exclude these insolent players from the squad, the better. You can't have these average players disrespecting the Greatest of All Time, that's really irritating. FIFA will pay them to talk thrash against their idol and destabilize the team.
lawalolamide
215
He's a wise coach that's keeping all players in check so as to be fit for their various clubs. Absolute class 💯