Inter Milan midfielder Maniche is the surprise absentee from Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 23-man Portugal squad for Euro 2008.

The 30-year-old former Porto, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid player has made 47 appearances for his country — and played a central role in Portugal’s run to the Euro 2004 final and the 2006 World Cup semifinals.

However, he has mostly been on the bench at Inter since moving from Spain four months ago.

Scolari appears to lack options in attack, selecting Benfica’s Nuno Gomes, who has scored just one league goal in the past five months, as well as Helder Postiga of Panathinaikos — who has won 10 caps and last played for Portugal nine months ago.

Werder Bremen’s Hugo Almeida, the third striker, also has just 10 caps and last featured in August. However, Portugal’s strength lies in midfield with Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Quaresmo and Deco among others.

The squad will gather on May 19 for a 13-day training camp in Viseu, northeast Portugal, where they will play Georgia in a friendly 12 days later. They then travel to Switzerland the following day.

Portugal will meet Turkey, the Czech Republic and Switzerland in Group A. [via CNN Sports]