Marchena missing for Spain

Spain will be without central defender Carlos Marchena for Sunday’s match against Portugal.

The Valencia star has picked up yellow cards in each of his team’s first two games and will be suspended. Boss Inaki Saez will call on either Deportivo La Coruna’s star Cesar, or opt for Real Betis’ in-form Juanito as a replacement.

Cesar’s strength is in the air while Juanito has excellent ball control and was outstanding in Spain’s friendly draw against Italy before Euro 2004.

The loss of Marchena is an additional headache for Saez, who was already forced to make an alteration to his rearguard with Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado ruled out through injury just a week before the tournament.

Deportivo defender Joan Capdevila was called into the squad as a replacement, while Raul Bravo made the starting line-up at left-back in Salgado’s place.

Athletic Bilbao’s Joseba Etxeberria, who has played on the right wing in the first two games, is uncertain after picking up a thigh injury during the side’s 1-1 draw with Greece. Betis winger Joaquin was outstanding after coming on as a substitute and is expected to start against Portugal.

Spain (probable): Casillas, Cesar, Helguera, Puyol, Bravo, Albelda, Xabi Alonso, Joaquin, Vicente, Raul, Morientes.