Portugal manager Fernando Santos is facing a defensive crisis ahead of Thursday's World Cup 2022 playoff semi-final with Turkey at the Estadio do Dragao.

Manchester City duo Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias are out through suspension and injury respectively, while Pepe has tested positive for COVID-19 and is also unavailable this week.

As a result, one of Tiago Djalo or Goncalo Inacio will likely be handed their senior international debuts alongside Jose Fonte, while Anthony Lopes has withdrawn through injury and has been replaced by Jose Sa.

Rui Patricio will expect to get the nod in goal nonetheless, while Cancelo's spot at right-back should be filled by Cedric Soares as Nelson Semedo also misses out through injury.

Raphael Guerreiro could just edge out Nuno Mendes for a start at left-back, as Bruno Fernandes aims to push his Manchester United struggles to one side with a start in the engine room.

Joao Moutinho and Danilo Pereira are the two most likely options to start alongside Fernandes, with the injury-plagued Renato Sanches missing due to a thigh problem.

Fresh from becoming the highest goalscorer of all time in the history of men's football, Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to lead the line as fellow Premier League stars Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota provide support from out wide.

Portugal possible starting lineup: Patricio; Cedric, Fonte, Inacio, Guerreiro; Moutinho, Pereira, Fernandes; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Jota