Portugal are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Paulo Sousa ahead of Monday's opening Euro 2000 clash against England.

'We are seriously worried about the injury to Sousa, everyone is,' said Portugal's assistant coach Adelino Teixeira.

'He is one of our most important players, especially when you consider the tactics we intend to employ.'

The 29-year-old Parma star has not trained for three weeks after the recurrence of a long-standing injury to his right thigh muscle.