Manchester City forward Robinho will not play in Brazil’s friendly against England in Doha as he continues his recovery following an ankle injury.
Robinho had joined up with his country despite having not fully recovered from a stress fracture of his ankle suffered while on international duty earlier this season.
However, he has not given up hope of being available to face Oman in another international friendly on Tuesday.
That could spark a row between Brazil and City, who are due to meet Liverpool next Saturday in a lunchtime Premier League clash.
City were under the impression Robinho was only leaving their training camp in Abu Dhabi to be examined by the Brazilian medical team but he has stayed with coach Dunga’s side.
England’s trip to Doha for a friendly with Brazil has not met favour with Premier League bosses, but Fabio Capello will be able to use the opportunity to check out some new players.
The Italian will be forced into making changes, with Frank Lampard travelling back home after picking up a thigh injury in training that is likely to sideline him for a month.
Lampard’s Chelsea team-mate, John Terry, is the latest injury concern after tweaking his ankle. Matthew Upson was expected to partner Terry in the heart of England’s defence, but should the England captain miss out it could see Gary Cahill thrust into the spotlight.
It is likely to be all-change at full back as well, with Wes Brown and Stephen Warnock to fill the right and left-back berths respectively.
England have travelled without a host of midfielders, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham the most high-profile absentees, but Capello is still well stocked. Tottenham duo Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone seem certain to feature at some stage, while Aston Villa pair James Milner and Ashley Young could be the wide raiders for Capello.
Wayne Rooney is fast becoming Capello’s talisman and it seems that Peter Crouch‘s excellent record will secure him a start alongside the Manchester United star, who is set to take the captain’s armband.
Brazil are favourites to take World Cup glory next summer but the side on show in Doha will be far from Dunga’s first choice XI.
Dunga has not called up any Brazil-based players so as not to disrupt the league campaign and he has also been hit by a host of injuries.
Luisao has been forced to withdraw due to appendicitis, while injury has robbed Fabio Aurelio the chance to make his international debut.
Felipe Melo and Naldo picked up knocks in training on Thursday and are rated doubtful, but Brazil will still carry a threat.
An attacking-midfield three led by the imperious Kaka supporting Luis Fabiano will cause problems for a makeshift England defence, while the sight of Maicon skipping forward from the back will be another threat for Capello to counter.
Lyon defender Cris has been called up after Juan was not released by Roma due to injury.
Juan is nursing a muscle strain while Dunga also lost Benfica central defender Luisao to appendicitis, replacing him with Milan’s Thiago Silva earlier in the week.
You can follow live text commentary on the clash in Doha from 4.30pm right here on eurosport.yahoo.com!
Eurosport / PA Sport
