Fred out of Copa America

Premier League / Editor / 30 July 2007 / Leave a Comment

Lyon's Brazilian striker Fred has been ruled out of the rest of the Copa America after breaking his foot in training.

The 23-year-old picked up the injury on Thursday and Brazil team doctor Jose Luis Runco admitted the results from scans had shown he had broken a bone in his foot and will be out of action for up to a month.

"He has been released to tend to his foot," Runco said. "This would normally take around one month to recover from."

Brazil are still reeling from their shock 2-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening Copa America game and the news that Fred is now unavailable is a big blow ahead of the crucial Group B clash against Chile on Sunday night.

The seven-time winners of the tournament though are strongly fancied at 1.42 to make amends for their opening defeat, while Chile, who beat Ecuador 3-2 in their first game, can be backed at 9.6 and the draw at 5.2.

Understandably, Brazil, who now prop up the table, have drifted to 5 in the Group B winner market, behind Mexico (1.72) and Chile (4.5), although they are still fancied at 1.22 to qualify as one of the top two.

Mexico take on Ecuador in the other Group B encounter on Sunday and will be able to confirm their passage with a win (2.16). Ecuador are available at 4.1 and the draw is on offer at 3.3.

Lyon, overwhelming favourites at 1.51 to make it seven French league titles on the bounce, will be hoping Fred makes a swift recovery and is fit for the start of the new season.