New Manchester United signing Fred was forced out of Brazil training with an ankle injury on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who is set to move to United next season after the Premier League club agreed a €55m deal with Shakhtar Donetsk, was caught by a tackle from Casemiro as Brazil continue preparation for the World Cup.
Fred tried to continue training on pitch but could not continue and was treated with ice on the sidelines. He was out for at least the rest of the training in London that was open to the media.
“It is too early to say, we have to see how he develops in the next 24 hours,” national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said of Fred’s condition.
“He started working out right after. Tomorrow we will know whether he will have to be further examined or not.”
There was good news for Brazil, however, as forward Neymar was added to coach Tite’s main formation on Thursday.
Neymar is still recovering from a foot injury that stopped him from football for three months but now appears set to start in Brazil’s final pre-World Cup friendly at Austria on Sunday.
The Paris-Saint Germain forward came off the bench to score in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Croatia on Sunday.
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, who started against Croatia last Sunday, was left out for Neymar. Tite also kept Willian in the team, which suggests he will use Philippe Coutinho in a more central position in Vienna.
Brazil players have praised the intense training sessions but critics say Tite’s hard-line approach could affect the future of his players in the World Cup.
“Everyone wants to fight for a position, our trainings are very strong,” left-back Marcelo said.
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Brazil’s two-week training in London ends on Friday, when the team travels to Austria for another friendly.
