Oliveira handed maiden Portugal call-up

Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira has been included in Portugal coach Paulo Bento’s 23-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Poland.

The 20-year-old forward, who has been handed his first call-up to the senior national side, scored four goals in the Under-20 World Cup last summer as Portugal finished runners-up to Brazil.

Oliveira has so far made just five starts for Benfica this season, but Bento does not exclude the possibility of including the young striker in his Euro 2012 plans.

“We think he is a player with a huge potential and quality who, despite not having played many minutes in the league in recent times, has been playing in the League Cup,” Bento said at a press conference.

“His characteristics are different from those of the other strikers who have been playing for Portugal, like Hugo Almeida and Helder Postiga.”

“Considering this is the last match before the final list is announced, we have here an opportunity to know him better.”

Nelson, Ricardo Costa, Manuel Fernandes and Silvestre Varela return to Portugal’s set-up after failing to make the squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Sereno, Ruben Amorim, Nuno Gomes, Sílvio and Danny are all absentees.

Portugal have been drawn with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands at Euro 2012.

Portugal squad: Rui Patricio, Eduardo, Beto, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Joao Pereira, Ricardo Costa, Pepe, Nelson, Rolando, Joao Moutinho, Carlos Martins, Miguel Veloso, Ricardo Quaresma, Manuel Fernandes, Ruben Micael, Raul Meireles, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga, Hugo Almeida, Silvestre, Nelson Oliveira.