"Portugal ready to rest players for Swiss match"

Neuchatel, Switzerland, June 14 (Reuters) - A very different Portugal team could take the field in the Euro 2008 quarter-finalists' last group game against Switzerland in Basel on Sunday.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose side won the Group A match before being eliminated against co-hosts, could make several changes to rest most of the first-choice players with a potential quarter-final against Germany ahead The June 19.

Germany, the team that most impressed tactically Scolari after the first round of matches, can not win Group B and avoid Portugal after their shock loss to Croatia on Thursday.

Useful player Fernando Meira and goalkeeper Ricardo can not shed light on plans for Scolari in Friday's press conference.

"We all have to be ready to play. The coach can count on me anytime anywhere, 'said Meira, who did not start the win over Czech Republic and Turkey, but is likely to take the midfield holding role Armando Petit give a break.

Ricardo, who may be one of four players remain the first choice starting line, said: 'We have full confidence in the decisions of the coach'.

After the injury ruled out of the tournament understudy Quim, Ricardo has two uncapped reserves at age 34, Nuno Espirito Santo and 20-year-old Rui Patricio.

Meira Portugal said that anything to anyone that victory was picked up by Scolari, who could also kick off ends Nani and Ricardo Quaresma and midfielder Raul Meireles, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Deco are rested.

Having failed in their attempt to reach the quarter-finals, Switzerland is setting its sights on a first victory in a European Championship.

"Even before we left I had thought it would be a great achievement to get their first victory in a euro," said coach Koebi Kuhn.

"Why not on Sunday against a party that Portugal have already qualified?" Asked Kuhn, due to retire after party on Sunday to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

"I think all our players want to sign off with a good performance and the crowd deserve it too."

Switzerland, already without injured strikers Alex Frei and Marco Streller, may have to make a new change to its front line after the reserve Eren Derdiyok hurt his ankle in the defeat against Turkey on Wednesday.

An attacking midfielder may be needed to carry the line.

The Swiss has won eight and has five of its 19 meetings with Portugal, but his last victory was 26 years ago. Portugal won the last meeting 1-0 in 1993.