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'Injured' Chelsea defender Alex out of Brazil squad despite Moscow mission

Last updated at 16:25pm on 21.05.08

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Alex has been withdrawn "injured" from Brazil's squad for two World Cup qualifiers next month, despite being in Chelsea's Champions League Final squad.

The Brazilian Football Confederation announced on their official website that the 25-year-old will not be fit to play in next month's competitive matches against Paraguay and Argentina with an undisclosed problem.

He will also miss warm-up friendlies, against Canada in Seattle on May 31 and Venezuela on June 6 in Boston.

No more of this: Alex fires a free-kick for Chelsea earlier this season

"Chelsea defender Alex has been withdrawn because of injury from the friendlies against Canada and Venezuela, and also the World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Argentina," a statement said on the CBF website.

The CBF did not specify the nature of Alex's injury. The defender is currently in Moscow with Chelsea ahead of the Champions League, but no information about an injury has been disclosed.

Brazil, currently third in the South American qualifying zone, host leaders Paraguay on June 15 in Asuncion and second-placed Argentina on June 18 in Belo Horizonte.

No replacement for Alex has yet been named.