Rui Patrício, Adrien, William and Gelson all given the green light for Lithuania

National team coach Fernando Santos released his squad list for the coming World Cup 2018 qualifier against Lithuania this week.

A total of four Sporting players feature in the squad of 24 Rui Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and Gelson Martins.

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Marafona (Sp. Braga) and Rui Patrício (Sporting CP);

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Antunes (Dynamo Kiev), João Cancelo (Valencia), José Fonte (Southampton), Luís Neto (Zenit), Nélson Semedo (Benfica) and Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund);

Midfielders: André Gomes (Barcelona), Adrien Silva (Sporting CP), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), João Mário (Inter de Milão), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich) and William Carvalho (Sporting CP)

Forwards: André Silva (FC Porto), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lille), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Pizzi (Benfica), Nani (Valencia) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

Surprising line-up deserved more in Signal Iduna Park

Although fielding five in defence, Sporting CP certainly didn't sit on the back foot in Signal Iduna Park, in a quest to guarantee Champions League continuity against Borussia Dortmund. It was a very much surprising starting eleven from Jorge Jesus, with Paulo Oliveira slotting in along side the usual pairing of Coates and Rúben Semedo, while Castaignos came in for Bas Dost. The final result was far from the objective, but Sporting CP did put in a battling performance that deserved better.

With Jesus and Tuchel both having mixed it up for the Champions League showdown, the game started with a chance in both 18-yard boxes and it was the first first effort on goal that dictated the final result. Ginter managed to find a yard of space down the right and float a ball in for Adrian Ramos, who got the jump on Paulo Oliveira and headed past Rui Patrício in the 12th minute. Sporting CP responded down the other end of the mark and Gelson Martins broke through on goal after a superb spell of passing play, but the Alvalade youngster was unable to get the better of Burki.

The dying stages essentially saw Sporting CP finish with 10 men, as Schelotto struggled on. Bryan Ruiz had a chance to level with a header late on, but his shot was off target. Legia Warsaw's surprise draw with Real Madrid does leave a narrow window for Jorge Jesus's side to still quality for the next round, but the maths is stacked against Sporting CP going into the last two matches of the group stage.

Adrien on his return to action and Bryan Ruiz on Wednesday's loss in Dortmund

Adrien Silva made his long awaited return from injury this Wednesday, in Sporting's narrow defeat in Dortmund.

"It is always hard to come back after a few weeks out, but I am happy to be back with the lads. No player can decide a result on their own, this only works as part of a team and that is what we will carry on doing", said Adrien at the final whistle.

Also speaking with the press was Bryan Ruiz. "We did everything we could. We had a good came against a good team and all we were missing was a goal. We had chances and possession, but couldn't get the goal."

Jorge Jesus reflects on his tactical shake up in Dortmund

Despite Sporting CP narrowly missing out to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, coach Jorge Jesus gave credit to his players for pulling off a surprise with a formation rarely seen by the team from Alvalade.

"You could see our plan as the game went on. We played really well against Dortmund, against a really good team, and we created a few chances. The strategy we put together worked. We knew we would have a good game and that the ball would do a lot of the work for us. In the first-half Gelson had two chances on goal, but when you don't score against a team of this quality you run the risk of losing. That is what happened and honestly it was a shame. We deserved at least a point and we believed we could do it, despite the quality of our group", said Jesus at the final whistle.

Castaignos shares his Budesliga experiences ahead of Borussia Dortmund showdown

Luc Castaignos, who last year was playing in the Budesliga, was the player picked to accompany Jorge Jesus for Tuesday's pre-match press conference, ahead of Wednesday's showdown with Borussia Dortmund.

"The team is feeling confident right now. We fought hard in our first game against Dortmund and we have come here to get a result. Honestly, we feel good about tomorrow. I played in Germany last year, including against Dortmund, and I think we will have to be at our best tomorrow. That is the only way we can get something our of this", said Castaignos, adding a word on Adrien's pending return to action after injury, as well as his experience so far in the Portuguese capital: "Everyone at the club loves him (Adrien) and we are happy to have him back. He brings a lot of experience to a young team...I have to keep working in training and I am confident that the coach will give me some playing time in the future."

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on Wednesday's visit to Dortmund

Speaking at a press conference in Signal Iduna Park ahead of his side's encounter with Borussia Dortmund, Jorge Jesus brushed off any pre-match pressure with a dose of confidence in securing a good result.

"We don't have as much pressure on us, because of the group we are in. We are fighting for qualification against two teams who are theoretically stronger than us. We are trying to qualify, but we have to be humble enough to accept that Dormund are who have a bigger reputation on the European level than us", opened Jesus, adding a word on his belief in his players: "I fully believe in the squad, even though we haven't won in the past three matches. We know what we have to do and every good team goes through its highs and lows. The same thing is happening in the Bundesliga with Dortmund."

Looking ahead to the encounter and what is one of Europe's most intimidating atmospheres, the Alvalade coach said: "Borrusia aren't only a difficult opponent because of their stadium, but because they are a quality team. They are one of the best in the Bundesliga and Europe. They are really strong in attack and everyone has trouble stopping them. We will try to keep ourselves organised in defence."

Agreement for contract extension with Pedro Marques

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Pedro Marques for the renewal of the athlete's contract, now valid until 2023 and with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Pedro Marques the best of professional and personal success.

Recommendations for fans travelling to Germany

Sporting Clube de Portugal has issued the following recommendations for fans travelling to Dortmund for this Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Borussia Dormund:

• Sporting's fans will gather at Alter Markt (Old Market) in the centre of the town.
• The area is served by the Metro system (U – UBahn U46 U45).
• Signal Duna Park is the official name of Borussia Dormund's stadium and is served by various modes of public transport.
• The area will be supervised by both German and Portuguese police, as well as representatives of Sporting CP.
• Fans are to meet by 17:00 and will begin the journey to the stadium at 19:00.
• Should Sporting CP fans have tickets for areas other than those sold in Alvalade, fans will be permitted access after security validation by the host club.
• Our fans have been fantastic when it comes to avoiding the use of pyrotechnic devices and we encourage all fans to continue to act as an example, particularly considering the fines and potential closure of the stadium for use of such devices.

Information from the club's medical department

Sporting CP's medical department has released the following clinical update:

Jefferson - twisted right ankle - in treatment

Spalvis - recovering from knee surgery - in treatment

Bruno Paulista - recovering from dental surgery - in treatment

Adrien and Petrovic participated in the first 15 minutes of training with no restrictions.

Sporting CP B led twice in Olhão before last minute goal split the points

Sporting CP B were held to a 2-2 draw against Olhanense this weekend, after the hosts snatch equaliser in added time.

In contrast to the final stages, the start of the encounter couldn't have been better for João de Deus's side, as Mama Baldé broke through the middle and set up Leonardo Ruiz for a superb chipped finish. Seconds later, Matheus Pereira skilled his way past two defenders and drove a dangerous cross into the box Ruiz came up just short of converting.

Sporting CP B continued to control proceedings and looked the most likely to find the back of the net again. On 21 minutes Pedro Delgado had a good opportunity following a counter-attack, but his host was turned away by the home defence. Olhanense did attempt to rally just before half-time, but Pedro Silva's goal was rarely troubled.

The break wasn't well managed by Sporting CP B, with the Alvalade youngsters opting to fall back instead of pressing Olhananese. The hosts made the most of the opportunity to take the initiative and soon equalised through Cissé. Buoyed by the goal, Olhanense began to throw numbers forward, in the process leaving space open for counter-attacks led by Matheus Pereira. It was precisely from one of the Brazilian's moves forward that Sporting CP B resorted the lead, with a move finished off by Budag.

To give credit to Olhanense, the hosts didn't through in the towel and deep into added time Tiago Barros split the points.