Robinho to miss match against Ghana

Bergisch Gladbach: Robinho will not play for Brazil against Ghana in the second round of the World Cup because of an injury to his right thigh.

The striker, who was examined in Cologne following being injured in Saturday's training, is not seriously hurt but will not be fit to face Ghana on Tuesday, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on Monday.

"It was a small problem. I'll continue treatment and, God willing, I will be available for next Saturday's match if Brazil gets past Ghana," Robinho said.

Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco said there is a "great possibility" Robinho will be available to play in the quarter-finals.

"We have ruled out the possibility that he won't be playing in this World Cup again," Runco said.

The striker, who started in Brazil's 4-1 win over Japan, will not travel with the rest of the squad to Dortmund for the match against Ghana.

He will stay at the team's hotel undergoing treatment.

"I was a little sad, upset for being injured, but thank God it wasn't anything serious," Robinho said.

Runco said the full extent of the striker's injury wasn't known until after the results from the MRI came back on Monday morning.

He said Robinho is likely to return to practice as soon as on Wednesday.

Brazil will face either Spain or France on Saturday in Frankfurt if it gets through to the quarterfinals.

Robinho hasn't practiced since he injured his thigh taking a shot on goal at the end of Brazil's training session on Saturday.

Robinho put his hand on the leg immediately after and did not continue playing. He met with Brazil's doctors on the sideline and was escorted to the locker room.

After playing well against Japan, the 22-year-old Robinho was hoping to get another chance in the match against Ghana.

He replaced regular starter Adriano against Japan after coach Carlos Alberto Parreira decided to rest some of the regular starters and give more playing time to some of the reserves.

"Robinho is a player who gives us a lot of options," Parreira said. "It's a pitty. He was very motivated."

Many in Brazil have been calling for Robinho to be included in the team's starting 11 in all matches.

Robinho, playing in his first World Cup, was a starter when Brazil won last year's Confederations Cup, helping the team win the title and earning praise from Parreira.

Robinho has six goals in 23 matches with Brazil. He led Santos to two Brazilian league titles before going to Real Madrid in 2005 in a deal reportedly worth $38 mn.