Portugal go into their key Euro 2012 Group H qualifier against Cyprus still reeling from the international retirement of Ricardo Carvalho.

Carvalho: Quit international football

Carvalgo quit on Wednesday after leaving the training camp without permission, apparently after learning that he had been left out of the starting line-up for Friday's match in Nicosia.

Carvalho said he had been left "disrespected and hurt" as he brought down the curtain on an international career in which he earned 75 caps and was named in the team of the tournament when Portugal finished runners-up at Euro 2004.

Given he quit over being left on the bench, Carvalho's absence will not force a change in line-up for coach Paulo Bento, but the row is bound to leave a cloud over the squad, who likely need a victory to keep up with Norway.

Portugal, Norway and Denmark all begin this round of fixtures tied on 10 points, but Norway play twice in the coming days while Portugal and Denmark have only one game, giving Egil Olsen's men a chance to take the edge.

However, they will have to do it the hard way as they face Denmark in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

First comes a home clash with last-placed Iceland which is virtually a must-win given the game to come.

Olsen is without influential playmaker Morten Gamst Pedersen with a thigh injury, while there is also a doubt over another key veteran, John Arne Riise.

Iceland, who have only one point to their name, welcome back Veigar Gunnarsson after 11 months out as they prepare to face both Norway and Cyprus four days later.

Coach Olafur Johannesson goes into the games knowing time is ticking down on his time in charge, with the Iceland Football Association confirming he will not be retained after the final qualifier against Portugal in October.

Denmark will go into Tuesday's game without captain Christian Poulsen, who was not called up due to the uncertainty over his club future.

The veteran midfielder has now left Liverpool for Evian, but his ex-Anfield team-mate Daniel Agger will captain the side in his absence.

Cyprus will take on Portugal and Iceland under the guidance of new boss Nikos Nioplias, who will be facing his first competitive matches since taking over from Angelos Anastasiadis earlier this summer.