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The Times & The Sunday Times
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Kaka to miss Ireland friendly with knee injury

Times Online
The Times
Times Online
The Times

Kaka has been ruled-out of Brazil’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park on Wednesday.

The AC Milan midfielder and European player of the year picked up a knee injury in his side’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Saturday. Alexandre Pato, Kaka’s AC Milan team-mate, will also miss the clash. Pato hobbled off with an ankle injury shortly after he scored the winner.

Dunga, the Brazilian coach, has drafted in Naldo, the Werder Bremen defender, to replace Bayern Munich’s Lucio, who is also injured.

Don Givens, the Republic’s caretaker manager, named his squad two weeks ago, recalling Damian Duff after a long-term injury.

In the meantime, the Football Association of Ireland are continuing their search for a new manager. The panel responsible for the appointment said over the weekend that it would name a full-time successor to Steve Staunton, who is set to be announced as Gary McAllister’s assistant manager at Leeds United.

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Brazil squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Renan (Internacional), Leonardo Moura (Flamengo), Rafinha (Schalke), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Breno (Bayern Munich), Naldo (Werder Bremen), Luisao (Benfica), Alex (Chelsea), Gilberto (Arsenal), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Josue (Wolfsburg), Lucas (Liverpool), Richarlyson (Sao Paulo), Anderson (Man Utd), Thiago Neves (Fluminense), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis).