Fluminense doctor Victor Favilla has confirmed that striker Fred will miss three weeks with a muscle injury in his lower leg.
The injury, which will keep Fred out of this week’s crucial Copa Libertadores encounter with Grêmio, was initial feared to be ligament damage but has proven less serious than initially feared.
The powerful forward, who has been such a major part of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil squad this year, will now be back in time for the knockout stages should Fluminense qualify.
“Fred has suffered an injury to the back of the knee,” the doctor explained. “It’s not a ligament injury, it’s not to the meniscus or to the joint. There is no need for surgery.
“It’s a tear to the end of the gastrocnemius muscle, which passes behind the knee. He will receive treatment and we hope he’ll be back in 21 days, though it could be more or less.
As a result of the tear, Fred will miss the international fixture with Chile on April 24, to be played at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.
Source: Lancenet
