PEPE remains a doubt for Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final against Wales after head-coach Fernando Santos kept his counsel.
Questions over the 33-year-old's fitness were raised after missing last Sunday's training session with a thigh complaint. A precautionary measure it may have been, but Pepe did not take a full part in training on the eve of the match, instead doing separate work at their Marcoussis base before travelling to Lyon.
Being without the Real Madrid centre-back against Wales would be a huge blow for Portugal and coach Santos was coy when asked about his fitness: "As for Pepe, you'll probably be tossing and turning in your beds tonight because I'm not going to answer," he said with a smile at the pre-match press conference in Lyon.
"I'll be sleeping quietly because I have other players who can play. This situation is not new for us, it happened in our first match with [Ricardo] Quaresma. Sometimes, players recover and are fully fit to play and, other times, they're not and others are called up. If Pepe is 100 per cent, I will think about it and he can start the game. If not, no problem. All the players must be 100 per cent fit for such an important game."
Should Pepe fail to recover, 38-year-old former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho looks set to line-up in central defence alongside Southampton captain Jose Fonte. William Carvalho will miss Wednesday's match through suspension, but fellow midfielder Andre Gomes and left-back Raphael Guerreiro are back in contention after missing the quarter-final against Poland with knocks.
SOME of the talking points ahead of the biggest night in Welsh football history...
BALE v RONALDO
There is no getting away from the most fascinating head-to-head duel of the tournament. The two most expensive players in football history are Real Madrid team-mates and proven match-winners. But that's where the similarities end, with Cristiano Ronaldo focused on individual acclaim and Gareth Bale the epitome of a team man.
Bale's development has led to Madridistas suggesting he is the man to take over the scoring burden from the ageing Ronaldo. The Portuguese, however, will have his own views on that and will no doubt see this game as proving a point to his Welsh pretender.
RAMSEY LOSS
How Wales cope with the absence of the suspended Aaron Ramsey is pivotal. Ramsey has been among the standout players of Euro 2016, with one goal and four assists in Wales' march to the semi-finals.
The midfielder's energy will be sorely missed given he combines defensive responsibilities with a capacity to break forward into dangerous areas. Jonathan Williams and Andy King are the candidates to replace Ramsey and whoever is selected has a big part to play.
Portugal are good in possession - especially teenage sensation Renato Sanches - and like to play through midfield, but they are also vulnerable at the back as Hungary showed in putting three goals past them in the group stage.
ON THE SPOT
If it comes down to a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner, then Wales might be at a serious disadvantage. A lack of major tournament experience means Chris Coleman's side would be treading new ground after 120 minutes.
But Portugal are no strangers to spot-kick contests after beating England on penalties at both Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. They also have somewhat fresher memories of shoot-out success, having held their nerve to beat Poland in the quarter-final - converting all five of their penalties and, in truth, never looked like missing any of them.
FATIGUE FACTOR
Will Portugal pay for the fact they have failed to get the job done in 90 minutes? It is remarkable Portugal have reached the semi-finals without winning in normal-time - drawing their three group games and then needing extra-time to beat Croatia and penalties to see off Poland.
Those extra minutes could catch up on Portugal in the heat of Lyon. Wales, by contrast, have won four of their five games in 90 minutes and, apart from their last-gasp defeat to England, have finished games strongly and tended to score late on.
RISE OF A NATION
Wales have already exceeded expectations by reaching the last-four - the first British side to do so at a major finals for 20 years. So anything now would be considered a bonus. But there is real belief within this Wales squad that the journey is not about to end just yet.
Less than five years ago, Wales were ranked 117th in the world, the next Fifa rankings list should place them in the top six. Wales' success has created unparalleled interest in the sport - as proven by packed fan zones at home and the huge travelling numbers in France.
The results should serve Welsh football well for generations to come.
