In an ill-tempered 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Sunday, the Portuguese lost Costinha and Deco to red cards and winger Cristiano Ronaldo [Images] limped off the pitch in tears after a fierce challenge from Holland's Khalid Boulahrouz.

Yet coach Luiz Felipe Scolari [Images], delighted with his side's display of character in their "heroic, marvellous victory", said he was not concerned.

"I have 23 players and two cannot play. Cristiano Ronaldo has five or six days to recover and I still have other good players to prepare," he said.

"We will obviously have to change one or two things ... but I have 23 players -- well, 21 now -- with a will that I have never seen in a Portuguese team," he said. "Maybe that will can overcome England's quality."

Portugal have a short training session on Monday but will take the rest of the day off, waiting until Tuesday before they begin contemplating the quarter-final clash against England in Gelsenkirchen on July 1.

FULL POTENTIAL

Right back Miguel, who avoided collecting any of the nine yellow cards shown by referee Valentin Ivanov to Portuguese players, said there would have to be a rethink.

Mindful of England's strength in midfield, although David Beckham [Images], Frank Lampard [Images] and Steven Gerrard have yet to reach their full potential, the absence of key playmaker Deco and the experienced Costinha could hit the side hard.

"With Deco and Costinha gone, there are two great losses to the team. We are going to have to try even harder, play even better," Miguel said.

"England are a very strong team in midfield, we have a lot of respect for them because they work hard and they play a very direct game.

"We certainly have the quality to beat England, and at this moment, everything is possible, but we're tired now, and we'll start preparing on Tuesday for the next game," he added.

But "Big Phil" Scolari, who has yet to lose a game in a World Cup and led Brazil [Images] to the title in 2002, is unlikely to roll over at the sight of a few injuries and suspensions and in fact seems more determined than ever.

Still grinning after Sunday's tumultuous victory courtesy of Maniche's goal against the Dutch, he sang his side's praises.

"I'm happy. For many years, Portugal hasn't seen a team dignify the name of Portugal, fighting for Portugal and doing so much for Portugal," he said, adding: "This is better than winning the World Cup. I have a more emotional feeling."