Injured Casemiro ruled out of Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has been sidelined from Brazil's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Peru after failing to recover from a leg injury.

The 24-year-old has not played since fracturing a fibula in Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on September 18,reports Xinhua on Friday.

Despite being sidelined, Casemiro was named in Brazil's 24-man squad in the hope of recovering in time for this month's qualifiers.

In a statement issued late on Friday, the Brazilian football confederation said Casemiro would not be replaced for the matches.

Brazil are currently first in the South American zone qualifying standings with 21 points, one point ahead of second-placed Uruguay.

The top four teams at the end of the two-year qualifying campaign will earn an automatic berth at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fifth-ranked side will meet the Oceania champions in an inter-continental playoff.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alex Muralha (Flamengo), Alisson (Roma), Weverton (Atletico Paranaense)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Juventus), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (PSG), Miranda (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (PSG), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo).

Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City), Giuliano (Zenit), Lucas Lima (Santos), Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Willian (Chelsea).

Forwards: Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras), Neymar (Barcelona), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool).

--IANS

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