Spain sweat over Bravo fitness

Spain boss Inaki Saez has revealed that full back Raul Bravo is a serious doubt for Sunday's crucial Group A showdown with neighbours Portugal.

Spain are already with central defender Carlos Marchena through suspension, while winger Joseba Etxeberria is almost certain to miss out with a thigh injury.

The loss of Real Madrid star Bravo would be a blow to Saez, but the Basque coach remained unfazed about the player's possible absence and insisted he was planning to rest one or two of his first-choice starters for the Portugal date anyway.

"We're waiting to see finally what state Etxeberria and Raul Bravo are in, fitness-wise," Saez stated.

"Marchena can't play and I'll probably rest one or two so there will be some changes."

If Bravo does fail to prove his fitness, Deportivo La Coruna's Joan Capdevila - a late call-up to the Spain squad for the injured Michel Salgado - should be given the nod to start at left back.

Spain need to avoid defeat on Sunday to clinch their qualification for the quarter finals, and Saez is expecting the Portuguese to be unchanged following their win over Russia.

"Portugal are not going to change their game plan in respect to the way we play," Saez continued.

"They made changes after losing to Greece and had a good result against Russia so I expect them to play the same team."