Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus will reportedly miss the rest of the World Cup after picking up a knee injury.
Jesus has been a key player for Arsenal in the Premier League with six goals in all competitions this season following his move from Manchester City.
At the World Cup he’s been a deputy to Tottenham forward Richarlison but in his first start of the tournament against Cameroon on Friday he injured his knee.
Following scans on the issue, Brazilian newspaper O Globo claims Jesus will play no further part in the tournament and faces a month out.
Left-back Alex Telles is also said to be out of the World Cup and may require surgery after he suffered a knee injury.
News of Jesus’ injury will cause great concern to his club manager Mikel Arteta with Arsenal top of the Premier League. Arsenal’s first three fixtures after the World Cup will see them face West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle.
Brazil face South Korea on Monday in Qatar and still have doubts over Neymar and full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro.
“The physical demand is ever increasing, the time is short, it’s a cumulative effect of games and sometimes you don’t have the ideal recovery time on your hands,” coach Tite told a news conference on Friday.
“I don’t really know what to say other than that, mentally, the Cup is very demanding. It drains you. The intensity of the matches, the preparation – they are components of analysis that we have to delve into deeper, but they are all considerable.”
More to follow…