Bosingwa earns Portugal recall

Portugal coach Paulo Bento on Thursday recalled Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa for the friendly game against world champions Spain here on November 17.

The right-back recently returned to action following a left knee injury that had sidelined him since autumn last year.

He was named in an 18-man squad for the game that is being hosted to promote Portugal and Spain’s joint-bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

The match will also be used to celebrate “the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic,” according to a statement from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

Aside from Bosingwa’s return, Bento also called up Valencia holding midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who has not featured in his country’s last two matches.

In their bids to qualify for Euro 2012, Portugal are currently second behind Denmark in qualifying Group H, while defending champions Spain top Group I by three points from the Czech Republic.

Portugal squad to face Spain

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Genoa/ITA), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica) Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea/ENG), Joao Pereira (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe (both Real Madrid/ESP)

Midfielders: Carlos Martins (Benfica), Joao Moutinho (FC Porto), Manuel Fernandes (Valencia/ESP), Raul Meireles (Liverpool/ENG)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Danny (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Helder Postiga (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen/GER), Nani (Manchester United/ENG), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto)