Kaka heading for Singapore after Brazil recall

Former AC Milan superstar Kaka is poised to set the Singapore Sports Hub alight after he earned a recall to the Brazil national team.

After an 18-month absence from the Selecao that saw him miss out on the World Cup in his homeland, the playmaker was drafted into head coach Dunga's squad as a replacement for the injured Ricardo Goulart.

The 32-year-old, who is playing for Sao Paulo on loan from US side Orlando City ahead of their debut season in Major League Soccer, last appeared Brazil in March 2013 when he was called up by former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for friendlies against Russia and Italy.

Kaka will be part of the Singapore-bound squad facing Japan on Oct 14 at the new National Stadium, three days after Brazil take on South American rivals Argentina in Beijing on Oct 11.

Changes

Dunga, who is into his second spell as Brazil head coach, has been forced to make several changes to his original squad announced in September due to a series of injuries.

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Aside from Goulart, Chelsea midfielder Ramires (muscle problem) and Paris Saint-Germain defender Maquinhos (thigh strain) have pulled out from the squad while first-choice goalkeeper Jefferson is nursing a finger injury.

In response, Dunga has drafted in uncapped Sao Paulo defensive midfielder Souza and Inter Milan defender Juan as replacements for the withdrawn players. Gremio's uncapped goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe has also been brought into the squad as cover for Jefferson.

BRAZIL SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael (Napoli), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio)​
Defenders: David Luiz (PSG), Juan (Inter Milan), Gil (Corinthians), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), Danilo (FC Porto), Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow), Dodo (Inter Milan)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Souza (Sao Paulo), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea), Kaka (Sao Paulo)​
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Robinho (Santos)

Sources: AFP, Reuters

Related story: Kagawa is S'pore-bound for Japan-Brazil friendly