Brazil’s Paulo Henrique faces World Cup injury scare

Brazil defender Paulo Henrique is in a race against time to be fit for the FIFA World Cup after missing Vasco da Gama’s Serie A clash against Internacional on Saturday due to an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old right-back twisted his right ankle during Vasco’s midweek Copa do Brasil draw with Paysandu and was stretchered off the field.

“The player is undergoing intensive treatment and was rested to manage workload,” Vasco said in a statement on social media.

Paulo Henrique was named in Brazil’s preliminary 55-man squad for the FIFA World Cup, which is set to begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to announce the final 26-man squad on Monday in Rio de Janeiro.

Paulo Henrique has earned two caps for Brazil and scored his first international goal in a friendly against Japan last October.