Brazil striker Fred out with knee injury

Rio de Janeiro - Striker Fred will miss Fluminense’s final two Copa Libertadores group stage matches with an injured right knee.

The Brazil international was carried off the pitch after landing awkwardly during the first half of Fluminense’s 2-0 victory over Resende in the Campeonato Carioca Saturday, Xinhua reports.

Scans on Monday confirmed tissue damage behind the patella tendon, meaning he will be sidelined for up to three weeks.

He will miss the club’s Libertadores fixtures against Gremio Wednesday and Caracas April 18, Fluminense doctor Arthur Nogueira said.

The 29-year-old is also out of contention for Brazil’s friendly against Chile at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao World Cup stadium April 24.

Fred, who joined Fluminense in 2009 from French Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, has scored in each of his past four matches for Brazil against Argentina, England, Italy and Russia.