DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are likely to question "several suspects" in the near future, according to reports.

It is understood UK police have already asked Portuguese authorities if they can speak to three people of interest to the investigation. But Portuguese police now say more than three suspects will be interviewed by their officers.

Madeleine was three when she went missing in Portugal in 2007.

Forensic teams have been examining a section of private scrubland in the Praia da Luz resort since Monday, using ground-penetrating radar and sniffer dogs. Portuguese police sources said that no questioning of suspects would take place in the coming week.