FIFA World Cup™ favourites Brazil were waiting on the fitness of Elano as they trained for Friday's meeting with Portugal. Elano picked up a calf strain in the win over Côte d’Ivoire which guaranteed the five-times champions' place in the last 16, though he is expected to be fit for the final Group G match.
Brazil have racked up a 2-1 win over Korea DPR and a 3-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire to sit pretty on six points, whereas Portugal need a draw to be absolutely certain of second place as the Ivorians could theoretically still just pip them.
Elano, who scored in both games, took part in some but not all of Wednesday's training session at Saint Stithians College in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Sandton, jogging and then taking part in a special session with a physical trainer while his squadmates worked on set pieces.
Tuesday, Elano had sat out the day session but insisted: "I feel better." With Elano's fitness still in some doubt Benfica's Ramires is on stand-by.
Kaka is suspended after his red card against Côte d’Ivoire and Dunga is still mulling his replacement, though the favourite is AS Roma's Julio Baptista. Another option is to move Robinho slightly further back and field Villarreal forward Nilmar or else be more conservative and stiffen midfield with Daniel Alves.
