Portugal boss Fernando Santos has dropped Bruno Fernandes down to the bench for Sunday's key World Cup 2022 qualification clash against Serbia in Lisbon.

Fernandes had been expected to operate in a midfield three for the hosts, who need to avoid defeat in order to secure first spot in Group A and a spot at next year's World Cup.

However, the Manchester United attacker has dropped out, with Renato Sanches, Danilo and Joao Moutinho operating as the midfield three.

Fit-again Bernardo Silva, as expected, returns to the side, joining Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third of the field.

Pepe is suspended due to his red card against Republic of Ireland last time out, so there is a spot for Jose Fonte alongside Ruben Dias in the middle of the defence.

Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes is available after a suspension of his own, and the Paris Saint-Germain defender starts at left-back, with Joao Cancelo operating on the opposite side.

PORTUGAL XI: Patricio; Cancelo, Fonte, Dias, Mendes; Sanches, Danilo, Moutinho; B Silva, Ronaldo, Jota body check tags ::