Helder Postiga has been ruled out of Portugal's Euro 2012 semi-final with a thigh injury, their football federation has confirmed.
Hitman will miss semi-final against Spain or France
Portugal striker Helder Postiga has been ruled out of their Euro 2012 semi-final against Spain or France with a thigh injury, the country's football federation has confirmed.
Postiga pulled a thigh muscle during Thursday's 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic which sent the Portuguese through to the final four.
Team doctor Henrique Jones had indicated after the match that the Real Zaragoza frontman would be unlikely to recover in time for the semi-final after he was stretchered off late in the first half.
And the Portuguese football federation confirmed in a statement on Friday the 29-year-old is "not fit to play in the semi-finals owing to a muscle strain behind the right thigh" following a scan on the injury.
Return
Jones was quoted by the Portuguese media as saying late on Thursday that should the country make it to the decider: "We are going to do all we can to ensure we get him back for the final."
Portugal coach Paulo Bento has not made any changes to his starting line-up to date over four games in Poland and Ukraine but will have to rejig his side in the absence of Postiga, a veteran of the country's run to the final in 2004.
He will be expected to call upon either Hugo Almeida, who replaced the striker against the Czechs, or youngster Nelson Oliveira.
Defending champions Spain and France will fight to play opposite Portugal in Saturday night's quarter-final clash at the Donbass Arena.
