Brazil captain Silva set to miss England friendly

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 15 (IANS): Brazil is likely to be without captain Thiago Silva for its first match under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari against England in a football friendly next month.

Silva is set to miss the Feb 6 friendly at London’s Wembley stadium after injuring his left thigh while playing for French club Paris Saint Germain in a 0-0 draw against Ajaccio last Friday, reports Xinhua.

The 28-year-old felt the strain early in the second half of the French Ligue 1 fixture and was substituted in the 57th-minute.

He is expected to miss up to three weeks, meaning he should resume the captaincy duties for Brazil’s friendlies against Italy March 21 in Geneva and Russia in London four days later.

Scolari will name a 23-man squad for the England duel Jan 22 in Rio de Janeiro.