Portugal face Sousa injury worry

Sousa is a major injury worry for Portugal

Paulo Sousa remains a major injury worry for Portugal ahead of the Group A encounter with England next Monday.

Sousa, who plays for Italian outfit Parma, is suffering from a strained thigh and missed last Friday's 3-0 win over Wales.

The midfielder was forced to miss part of training for a second consecutive day on Wednesday.

Team doctor Joao Paulo Almeida admitted: "We do not know if he will be able to play against England."

"We are seriously worried about the injury to Sousa, everyone is," said Portugal's assistant coach Adelino Teixeira.

"He is one of our most important players, especially when you consider the tactics we intend to employ."

Skilful

Despite the doubts surrounding Sousa, Portugal's players and management are confident they will overcome England when the two sides meet.

Lazio star Sergio Conceicao was among those turning up the heat ahead of the match by claiming his side are more skilful than Kevin Keegan's men.

Alongside the likes of Rui Costa and Luis Figo in midfield, Conceicao will undoubtedly pose a big threat to England on 12 June.

We Portuguese are the more creative players and are stronger in one-on-one situations

Sergio Conceicao

And he has already fired the first warning shot, proclaiming: "We have two main advantages over England. We Portuguese are the more creative players and we are stronger in one-on-one situations."

Assistant coach Rui Cacador meanwhile identified England's defence and goalkeeper as weak points the Portuguese would seek to exploit..

"We are now really focusing on the England game. They are a very strong team but not without their weaknesses, like in defence," Cacador insisted.

"We will try to take advantage of their weak points such as goalkeeping problems.

"We are as much the favourites as England, that's how we have to approach this game."