Goalkeeper Julio Cesar ruled out of Brazil friendlies

Rio de Janeiro - Goalkeeper Julio Cesar has been ruled out of Brazil’s football friendlies against South Korea and Zambia next month due to a hand injury.

Cesar underwent surgery in London on Wednesday to repair a fractured finger suffered while training with English second-tier outfit Queens Park Rangers, reports Xinhua.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said the 34-year-old’s unavailability had been determined by the Selecao’s team doctor Jose Luis Runco.

“Runco has had contact with the medical staff at Queens Park Rangers and they explained the injury to him. From there we made the decision not to include him in the friendlies,” Scolari said.

Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson is set to take the 34-year-old’s place for the matches in Seoul Oct 12 and Beijing three days later.

Barcelona defender Daniel Alves and Zenit St. Petersburg forward Hulk are set to return after missing the Selecao’s friendlies against Australia and Portugal earlier this month.

Alves has recovered from tendinitis in his right knee while Hulk is over a hamstring strain.