"Signs of anxiety appeared on him": Bernardo Silva left out of Portugal's camp

Portugal suffered a fresh blow following their heavy defeat to Denmark, at a time when they are preparing to play their final group-stage match in the UEFA Nations League, amid forced changes to their squad ahead of the clash with Wales, a fixture that carries great importance in determining who tops the group.

The Portuguese Football Federation have ruled Bernardo Silva out of the upcoming match against Wales after he picked up an injury during the clash with Denmark, which ended in a 4-1 defeat for Portugal. He has left the national team camp following an assessment of his medical condition by the specialist staff, according to the newspaper Record.

Silva, the new captain of the Portuguese national team, had scored his side's only goal in the defeat against Denmark. He will play no part in the next match after medical tests confirmed he was not fit to continue with the squad. The federation officially announced his exclusion from the camp, alongside Ruben Dias and Joao Palhinha.

Different reasons lay behind the loss of all three, the Portuguese federation explained in its statement. Dias and Palhinha were released after picking up the maximum number of yellow cards, which rules them out of the Wales match under the competition's regulations.

Bernardo Silva, the statement added, underwent a medical assessment by the Health and Performance Department of the Portuguese Football Federation before being deemed unfit to participate. The staff then decided to release him from the national team for the rest of the current international break, without revealing the nature of his injury.

Concern over the midfielder surfaced at the final whistle against Denmark. He stayed out on the pitch running alone before the photographers' lenses caught him wincing in discomfort. He had come on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Bruno Fernandes, and his injury was confirmed soon after.

Down to a squad of 24 with the trio gone, coach Jorge Jesus must now press on with preparations after losing three of his line-up to injury and suspension. It's an influential blow before the final match in the group.

Portugal travel to the capital Cardiff next Tuesday to face Wales in the sixth and final round of Group Four in the top tier of the UEFA Nations League. They need only one point to guarantee top spot.

Finishing first also hands Portugal an important advantage before the quarter-final draw on 20 November. A point against Wales would secure their place among the group seeds.

The Portugal v Denmark match had opened with a tribute to the legend Cristiano Ronaldo following the announcement of his international retirement. The players walked out in shirts bearing his name and the number "7", while the fans held up a banner reading "Thank you, captain". The visitors spoiled the party by humiliating the hosts.