Djalo replaces injured Varela in Portugal squad
LISBON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Sporting forward Yannick Djalo will replace Porto's injured Silvestre Varela in Portugal's squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers at home to Cyprus on Friday and away to Norway four days later, the Portuguese Football Federation said on Tuesday.
Varela was suffering from pains around his left ankle joint, it said.
It was the second replacement in as many days after the federation said winger Ricardo Quaresma would replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who bruised his right ankle during Real Madrid's La Liga opener on Sunday and will be out of action for around three weeks.
The 24-year-old Djalo, born in Guinea Bissau, plays as a striker or winger. He was a regular in the under-23 side and was called into the senior squad for two World Cup qualifiers in 2008 but did not come off the bench.
Last Thursday, Djalo scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute of Sporting's playoff match against Danish side Brondby, allowing them to qualify for the Europa League's group stage.
