Rui Patrício, William Carvalho and João Mário in Portuguese squad

João Mário, William Carvalho and Rui Patrício all feature in the Portuguese squad announced by Fernando Santos this Friday, for two friendlies against Russia (14 of November in Krasnodar) and Luxemburg (17th of November, in Luxemburg).

Squad list in full: Rui Patrício, Anthony Lopes, Eduardo; Cédric, Vieirinha, Pepe, Bruno Alves, José Fonte, Neto, Eliseu, Raphael Guerreiro; William, Danilo, João Moutinho, João Mário, André Gomes, André André; Bernardo Silva, Nani, Lucas João, Nélson Oliveira, Gonçado Guedes and Ricardo.

William Carvalho's reaction to 1-0 win over Estoril

William Carvalho was given the captain's armband in place of the suspended Adrien against Estoril on Saturday.

Speaking about his side's performance, the Portuguese international commented: “We started well and we had a lot of possession, but we didn't create that many chances. After half-time we tired Estoril out. It was a good result and the lads deserve a pat on the back. It was worth another three points and we have to keep winning now. There are a lot of matches to play until the end of the season and we want to stay at the top of the league. We will keep putting the work in and our opponents should be worried about us."

William speaks with the press after 5-1 win over V. Guimarães

William rubber stabbed what has been a brilliant return from injury with another dominating performance this weekend, masterminding a 5-1 win over V. Guimarães.

“The team achieved an important objective, which was to win and to play well. Now we will carry on working hard to do the same in our next game”, said the Alvalade midfielder speaking with the press, before responding to a question about the coming Lisbon derby: “We still aren’t thinking about it, because we still have a Portuguese Cup game to come first and we will be focused on that.”

In parallel, William reinforced the idea that problems off the pitch will do little to damage his side’s performance: “We have been working hard, despite what is going on. I also want to thank the fans for their support.”

William and Matheus on Thursday's Europa League encounter

William Carvalho and Matheus Pereira both put in solid performances in Istanbul this Thursday, in a dominating Sporting showing that deserved the three points.

“We played well. We did really well in the first-half and we knew they would come back at us in the second-half. They created chances, but the fair result would have been a win for us”, said William, going on to add: “We did slip up when it came to finishing, but we have been training hard and goals will come.”

For Matheus Pereira, only the win would have made better on his senior debut. “We didn’t get the result. I am happy to have played and all I am sad about is the result, because we had chances and we deserved it”, said the younger, finishing: “The coach told me to just to what I do with the B team. I know that I have to work hard, because nothing is guaranteed.

William Carvalho returns after injury spell

William Carvalho is back from a long spell on the line with a leg fracture and features in tomorrow’s squad to face Boavista

Speaking with Sporting TV about the weekend’s encounter, the Portuguese international proved to be in a confident mood: “It is going to be difficult, against a really aggressive team. We know that we will have to be focused and we will fight for the three points.”

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Senior team clinical update

Ewerton: complete rupture of the a lateral ligament in his left ankle. Undergoing treatment.

William Carvalho: stress fracture to the left tibia. In treatment.

Clinical Department

Sporting SAD statement on William Carvalho

Sporting SAD hereby expresses its indignation for the fact that the football player William Carvalho returned from the national under-21 team with a stress fracture to his tibia, without this fact having been communicated by the team’s clinical department or to any of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s clinical directors.

It was only yesterday, on returning to training ,that the injury to William Carvalho was discovered by Sporting Clube de Portugal’s medical department, at which time the Portuguese Football Federation curiously transmitted clinical reports for the seven players who took part in the under-21 European Championships.

The clinical update for the player William Carvalho states that the player did not show any signs of a physical problem. The player denies this and states that the clinical department was aware of the issue.

As a result, William Carvalho is expected to be sidelined for 10 to 12 weeks