Viana is still in my plans

[Thatslife]

Hugo Viana has received a boost in his bid to play in next summer's Euro 2004 finals.

The Newcastle midfielder has been left out of Portugal's squad for their upcoming friendlies against Greece and Kuwait.

But Viana has been assured by national coach Luis Felipe Scolari that he WOULD have been in his 18-man party but for Portugal Under-21s' European Championship play-off against France.

Viana, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Benfica starlet Tiago have been dropped to the Under-21 squad to ensure Portugal field their strongest possible team against the French.

Scolari admits the loss of that trio has left him desperately short of options for the full squad.

But he said: "I've always have been flexible in conceding players to Under-21 side, not least now, when the game with France is so important.

"Viana, Ronaldo and Tiago know they would have been in my squad if it wasn't for the Under-21 play-off."

In recent days, Viana has angrily denied quotes attributed to him which suggest his best chance of making Euro 2004 in Portugal was to leave Newcastle in search of regular first-team football.