Paulinho eyes Brazil return for Bolivia friendly

Rio de Janeiro, March 29 (IANS)

Paulinho (L) of Brazil tussles for the ball with Chris Smalling of England.

Corinthians midfielder Paulinho says he is hopeful of regaining his place in Brazil’s national football team for its friendly against Bolivia April 6.

The 24-year-old has recovered from a thigh injury that forced him out of the side’s 2-2 draw with Russia and 1-1 draw against Italy earlier this month, reports Xinhua.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will name his squad for the match in Santa Cruz de la Sierra Tuesday.

“It’s frustrating when injuries occur while you are playing well and selected for the national team, but there is nothing I can do about it,” Paulinho said Thursday. “I just have to get back to playing well to try to force my way back into the team.”

The match will feature South American-based players only due to it being on a non-FIFA date.

Proceeds from the fixture will be donated to the family of Kevin Beltran Espada, who died when he was struck by a flare during a Copa Libertadores match last month.