BRAZIL have suffered a huge injury scare as doubts remain over whether Douglas Costa and Renato Augusto will be fit for the World Cup.
The duo have both been ruled out Sunday’s friendly against Croatia in Liverpool, raising further concerns for the Samba Boys.
Head coach Tite is already sweating over Neymar, his fellow striker Gabriel Jesus and reserve right-back Fagner following troubled seasons for all three.
Neymar is not expected to start the game but should feature for the first time since injuring his foot in February.
Fagner is also available after coming through training this week unscathed while Costa has not practised at all due to a thigh injury.
Augusto’s right knee has been swollen since Wednesday. The Beijing Guoan player will likely be replaced by Manchester City’s Fernandinho in the starting lineup.
In Thursday’s press conference at Tottenham’s training center, Fernandinho said he was also likely to play in the friendly in Austria on June 10, which indicates Augusto may not be fit until the World Cup begins in Russia.
During Wednesday’s training session, Neymar took off his right boot, sat on the ground and looked less than happy.
Fernandinho said: “This injury he has had is annoying, I had it when I was younger.
“No one wants to miss a World Cup, but everyone is working at their maximum, no one is sparing their feet or saving energy. It is beautiful to watch that.”
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