Back so soon? Robinho set for return to England in March for Brazil v Ireland

Published: 09 Feb 2010 - 15:38:57

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Back so soon? Robinho set for return to England in March for Brazil v Ireland

Robinho is set to return to England as part of the Brazil to face the Republic of Ireland at the Emirates Stadium next month. The Manchester City forward cited fears over his place in the national team when he forced a six-month loan move to Santos at the end of last month. But Brazil boss Dunga has stuck with the 26-year-old for the match on March 2, the final friendly before he picks his provisional World Cup squad in May. Special relationship: Brazilian head coach Dunga (left) and Robinho However, Ronaldinho's hopes of making the flight to South Africa aredwindling after Dunga resisted growing calls to select the rejuvenatedAC Milan star. The coach preferred to go with troubled former Inter Milan striker Adriano (Flamengo), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and Nilmar (Villarreal) alongside Robinho. Among the surprise selections in the 22-man squad were 33-year-old left-back Gilberto, who is now at Cruzeiro in his homeland after a torrid time at Tottenham Hotspur. Kleberson, who was equally unimpressive after a big-money move to Manchester United was also included. Robinho enjoys a special relationship with Dunga and has been a fixture in the squad since the 1994 World Cup-winning captain took over as boss in 2006. Change of fortune: Robinho (left) has been included in Brazil's squad, but former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho (right) has not Dunga has a debt to the former Real Madrid forward, who was the star performer in the victorious 2007 Copa America side after both Ronaldinho and Kaka pulled out of the tournament asking for a summer of rest. Although his World Cup place would never really be in doubt, Robinhoclarified he feared his lack of match-practice at Eastlands meant hewould not go to South Africa in good shape. Brazil squadGoalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma) Defenders: Maicon,Lucio (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Juan (Roma), Thiago Silva(AC Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto(Cruzeiro) Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo(Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Kleberson (Flamengo), Ramires (Benfica),Julio Baptista (Roma), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid) Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Nilmar (Villareal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla),Adriano (Flamengo) 'I didn't come back for fear of missing the World Cup,' Robinho toldGloboesporte shortly before the squad was announced. 'I signed forSantos to play and get my rhythm. 'My fear was to go to the World Cup without being in the perfect condition. 'This is an important squad. The last before the World Cup. So much will be decided and I believe the group is almost complete. 'I'm preparing myself mentally - I imagine lifting the World Cup - and preparing physically: training each day, eating well and taking care of myself. 'When I say I want to be the best, I can give the impression that I will be blinkered and not pass to anyone. 'But that is not what I mean. It doesn't matter who scores.' The Emirates Stadium has become a home from home for Brazil and the match against the Republic will be their fifth appearance at the home of Arsenal in the last three-and-a-half years. Brazil have beaten Argentina (3-0), Sweden (1-0) and Italy (2-0) in north London, with a 2-0 defeat by Portugal their only failure. Robinho just wasn't up for the Premier League, blasts axed Man City coachVIDEO SPECIAL: Robinho marks his Santos return with cheeky winnerRobinho: In Europe, the coach sends you out to run. Here in Brazil, I play...Robinho's second coming: Man City flop nets winner in dream Santos returnAdam Johnson: I'm not going to be the new Robinho at Manchester CityMANCHESTER CITY FC