Portugal have already been hit twice by injury in this World Cup. According to multiplereports, they suffered their third blow on Friday.
Veteran central defender Bruno Alves did not train on Friday, and is in some level of doubt Sunday's Group G clash with the USA (6 pm ET, ESPN) after picking up a muscle strain at some point during the week. The more sensational reports didn't specify when or where Alves was injured, though leading Portuguese sports publication O Jogo reported that it was a left thigh injury — and that Alves would, nonetheless, be available for selection vs. the US:
The Portuguese will already be without Pepe, Alves' usual partner in central defense, who will miss the game after picking up a red card vs. Germany. Injuries, meanwhile, have claimed starting left back Fábio Coentrão and target striker Hugo Almeida.
Star attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is expected to play despite carrying a knee injury since early spring.
