Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to do without Chelsea midfielder Ramires for Thursday's friendly with Italy in Geneva but hopes he will be fit to face Russia five days later in London, the Brazilian Football Confederation said Tuesday.
Ramires has stayed behind in London for treatment on a thigh muscle injury.
Paulinho of Corinthians had earlier pulled out with a thigh problem as had ankle injury victim Lucas of French league leaders Paris Saint Germain, the latter being replaced by Osvaldo of Sao Paulo.
Paulinho has not been replaced in the squad, who began meeting up in Geneva on Monday.
Just seven of the 21-strong squad are home-based.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Thiago Silva (Paris SG/FRA), Dede (Vasco), Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Midfielders: Fernando (Gremio), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Jean (Fluminense), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich/GER), Hernanes (Lazio/ITA), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Osvaldo (Sao Paulo), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Strikers: Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenith Saint-Petersburg/RUS)
Source: AFP
