Flamengo count on Pedro and Samuel Lino for Santos, Varela and Anthony Valencia doubtful | OneFootball

Flamengo count on Pedro and Samuel Lino for Santos on Thursday 8 in the Brasileirão, while Varela and Anthony Valencia are likely to miss out. According to Coluna Do Fla, football director José Boto said the Brazilian pair should return in time.

He added that Pedro and Lino may not be at full tilt but could help, whereas Varela and Valencia are unlikely to arrive in time. He stopped short of confirming either absence.

Brazil finish the international window on Saturday 3 against India, leaving Pedro and Lino five days before Vila Belmiro. Both have played little, Lino 33 minutes across two games with Australia and Pedro 26 in the opener on Friday 25.

For the foreign duo the calendar is tighter. Uruguay meet India on Tuesday 6, giving Varela only two days, and he did not feature in a 3-1 loss to Japan.

Valencia is in Japan for the Kirin Cup, where Ecuador drew 0-0 with the hosts then lost 5-4 on penalties. He scored in the shootout, and Ecuador now face Panama for third place on Monday 5.

Flamengo have further issues, Arrascaeta fractured his wrist and will undergo surgery, Evertton Araújo is out with a grade 3 adductor injury, and Ayrton Lucas is a doubt after a hamstring problem in the 2-1 win over Red Bull Bragantino.

Kick-off 19:30 Brasília time at Vila Belmiro. Leonardo Jardim's side lead on 60 points from 28 games, Palmeiras have 57, and Santos are eighth on 38.

Santos had explored moving the match to Wednesday 7 at MorumBIS, but the change did not materialise.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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