Portugal coach Fernando Santos says Arsenal fullback Cedric Soares deserves his call.

Santos included Santos in his squad after a lengthy absence for the on-loan Southampton defender.

"He is playing very well at Arsenal," he said.

"We are talking about a champion of Europe, a starter in the European and World Cup, and who plays for Arsenal.

"I didn't leave him out because I suddenly stopped believing in Cédric or because I thought Cédric had no quality, if that were the case, I was contradicting myself in relation to the past, that's not it."