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LISBON - Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo returned to Portugal's squad on Thursday for next week's World cup warm-up against Brazil after missing last month's humiliating 4-1 home defeat against Finland through injury.

But playmaker Rui Costa not been included among the 20 players called up for the game in Lisbon after suffering a thigh injury playing in a league amtch for AC Milan at the weekend.

Striker Nuno Gomes is also out after doctors at Fiorentina advised him to rest until the end of the season so he recover from an ankle injury in a bid to be fit for the World Cup.

FIFA World Player of the Year Figo missed the Finland match with an ankle injury but played in Real's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday that secured a 3-2 aggregate win and a place in the Champions League semifinals against rivals Barcelona.

Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira included some players who have been away from the international scene for some time.

They include goalkeeper Vitor Baia, who has just returned to action for his club Porto after being sidelined for 20 months through injury, as well as Espanyol midfielder Paulo Sousa and Liverpool defender Abel Xavier.

Antonio Oliveira was cautious about the likely outcome of the match against four times world champions Brazil.

'Theoretically, it will be Brazil (who are the favourites). For us, it will be a big test.'

Portugal will play their last friendly against China in Macau on May 25.

Their first World Cup match is against the United States on June 5 in Suwon, South Korea. Their other group D opponents are tournament co-hosts South Korea and Poland.

Source (Reuters)