Real Madrid's centre-back, Pepe, won't play in Portugal’s home friendly against Panama, to be played in Faro on Wednesday, as a precaution because he isn't fully fit, according to the Portuguese FA.

As well as Pepe, Braga's midfielder Custódio and Zenit St. Petersburg’s defender Bruno Alves – who some sources have linked with a move to Atlético de Madrid – will also miss the game due to injury.

The Madrid centre-back is "suffering the consequences of a sprain to his right ankle", according to the head of the Portuguese medical team, Henrique Jones, who said that according to the tests performed so far "the player isn't in a condition to recover in three days".

He'll be replaced by André Santos, currently playing with Deportivo de la Coruña, who now re-joins the squad after having missed out on Euro 2012.