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Real Madrid pair in doubt for Brazil World Cup qualifiers

Xinhua, September 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazil could be without Real Madrid pair Casemiro and Marcelo for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela next month.

The Spanish club confirmed on Thursday that Casemiro suffered a fractured fibula in Real Madrid's 2-0 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday. The midfielder is expected to miss up to a month.

Marcelo's fitness is also in doubt after he limped off with a calf injury during the first half of Madrid's 1-1 home draw with Villarreal on Wednesday.

Brazil will already be without Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa for the October qualifiers. Costa, who has a hamstring injury, was replaced in the Selecao squad on Wednesday by Shakhtar Donetsk forward Taison.

Brazil will host Bolivia in Natal on October 6 before an away clash against Venezuela in Merida five days later.

The five-time World Cup winners are currently second in the South American zone qualifying standings with 15 points from eight matches, one point behind Uruguay.

The top four teams at the end of the two-year qualifying campaign will book a berth at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fifth-ranked side will earn a playoff spot. Endit