Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has reassured some of his top stars they will not be judged purely on their club form when he selects his 23-man squad for Euro 2008.

Playmaker Deco has been out of favour for long periods at FC Barcelona, starting just 12 league games so far, and has recently been sidelined with a thigh injury. Real Betis goalkeeper Ricardo is another experienced international encountering problems in Spain, having been demoted to the substitutes’ bench by coach Francisco Chaparro. Yet, according to Scolari, the player has every chance to retaining his No1 spot with the national team.

 ”If I think he’s in a good condition then I’ll call him no matter what is happening at his club. I’ve done the same thing with other players in the past. If I consider that a player is important I pick him, whether if he is playing for his club or not.”