Midfielder Diego cut from Brazil football squad

Rio de Janeiro Oct 4 (IANS) Flamengo midfielder Diego has been dropped from Brazil s national team for World Cup football qualifiers against Bolivia and Chile due to injury.

The 32-year-old suffered an unspecified leg muscle strain during Flamengo s 0-1 loss to Ponte Preta in Brazil s Serie A championship on Monday reports Xinhua news agency.

"We conducted a scan which confirmed a small muscular injury that will prevent him from participating in the matches " Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Tuesday.

He added that Brazil coach Tite decided not to call up a replacement for the former Atletico Madrid player.

Brazil already guaranteed of a berth in next year s World Cup in Russia will play Bolivia in La Paz on Thursday before hosting Chile in Sao Paulo five days later.

--IANS
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