Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota did not train with the Portugal team ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup 2022 Qualifying clash with Luxembourg, Fernando Santos has confirmed.
The 24-year-old missed his side’s recent 3-0 friendly win over Qatar last week with a reported muscular injury and was originally classed as doubtful for the visit of Luxembourg.
While Portugal boss Santos has not ruled Jota out of contention for Tuesday’s game, he has conceded that the Liverpool attacker is unlikely to be passed fit and may return to Anfield sooner than expected.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, Santos said: “I’ll make the decision shortly, and if he can’t play, he’ll head back to Liverpool.
“He trained a while ago, increased the intensity today with [physio] Joao Brito, but he didn’t train with us. The probability [that Jota will play] will be little. I’ll talk to him and see how he feels.
“If we see that he is in any condition to be on the bench and then he can come in, that’s fine. If we don’t, we won’t take the risk with a player who hasn’t been able to train with us for a long time.”
Jota has struck three goals in seven Premier League games this season, with Liverpool’s first game back after the break coming against Watford on Saturday.
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