Portugal manager Fernando Santos has left Cristiano Ronaldo out of the squad for Sunday's UEFA Nations League showdown with Switzerland.

The gruelling two-week period has not been kind on the 37-year-old's legs, and he is also walking a tightrope after being booked in Thursday's clash with the Czech Republic.

Santos has no injury or suspension concerns to work around for the weekend, and his goalkeeping rotation policy could see Diogo Costa cede his place to 103-cap veteran Rui Patricio.

Joao Cancelo has also played a lot of football this month and may make way for Diogo Dalot, as Nuno Mendes displaces the absent Raphael Guerreiro on the other side.

Danilo Pereira will expect to hold his spot in the rearguard, but Pepe is also due a rest, so Braga's David Carmo could make his long-awaited debut for the Selecao this weekend.

Bernardo Silva should retain his place in a new-look midfield with Ruben Neves and Bruno Fernandes, with Joao Moutinho also not taking part in this contest.

Should Ronaldo indeed be dropped, Andre Silva should spearhead the charge with support from Rafael Leao and Diogo Jota, the former of whom will go in search of his first Portugal goal at the ninth attempt.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Patricio; Dalot, Pereira, Carmo, Mendes; B. Silva, Neves, Fernandes; Jota, A. Silva, Leao

Written by
Ben Knapton