Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio receives shock call-up to Brazil squad

28 October 2009 17:00
Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio is in line for a place in the Brazil World Cup squad despite not having won a cap yet. [LNB]Aurelio has been named for the friendlies against England and Oman next month in a 24-man squad that includes his team-mate Lucas and another English-based player - Manchester City's Robinho.[LNB]Aurelio, 30, has been helped by coach Dunga's decision to leave out Brazilian league players to avoid disrupting the conclusion of their domestic season - so he still has work to do to get on the flight to South Africa. [LNB] Cap fits: Fabio Aurelio (right) could make his debut for Brazil against England[LNB]He last month made a recovery from a knee injury, which was operated on over the summer, after he hurt himself during a kickabout at home in Brazil.[LNB]Aurelio has already played for Brazil at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 but this did not count as worthy of a senior cap. After those games, though, he earned his move to Europe as he joined up with Spanish club Valencia.[LNB]Dunga: Brazil boss is set to give Aurelio his big break[LNB]Dunga, Brazil's World Cup-winning skipper in 1994, said: 'He's a player who knows how to mark, he's accustomed to European football. We spoke to him some time back about a call-up but he was injured and we couldn't pick him. Now we're going to give him that chance.'[LNB]Aurelio joined Liverpool in July 2006 on a Bosman move from Valencia but his appearances have been curtailed because of his injury problems. He has played eight Liverpool games this season since his return from injury - against Debrecen in the Champions League - on September 16.[LNB]Robinho has not played since suffering an ankle injury duringBrazil's 3-1 win over Argentina on September 5 but was still included. [LNB]Dunga,who led his side to Confederations Cup glory this year, added: 'He hasrecovered, we've spoken to him. We're going to take him to (to thefriendlies) to give him the chance to accelerate his return to thepitch.'[LNB] Robinho has been quoted this week saying that he welcomes interest from Barcelona - which has not gone down well with City fans - so he will be happy to have a positive distraction away from club football. [LNB] Suspended Liverpool star Javier Mascherano urges team-mates to carry Manchester United momentum into Arsenal cup tie Liverpool battle Arsenal for Zhano Ananidze but Spartak Moscow insist teenage 'Georgi Kinkladze' is not for saleNo pain no gain for Liverpool match-winner Fernando Torres LIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail