Brazil coach Dunga won't risk injuries against Wales
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-05 10:14

LONDON - Brazil manager Dunga has promised Europe's leading club coaches he will not risk any injuries to players in the friendly international with Wales on Tuesday.

"I don't want to overwork players because they are not in the best physical condition having just started their domestic seasons," said the former World Cup winner.

Barcelona's Ronaldinho has been passed fit to face the Welsh at White Hart Lane after missing Sunday's emphatic 3-0 friendly win over South American rivals Argentina with a back injury.

But Brazil's new coach is aware of the concerns of club coaches a few weeks into their domestic campaigns and has asked for more input from his medical staff regarding team selection.

"There are 22 players in the squad and I have to decide what players are best prepared," he told a news conference on Monday.

"I want the backroom staff to be part of the team and I want input from them and the players when making my team selection.

"The medical staff know which players are physically prepared and which are not. This is why I want their input. I hope to send players back to their own clubs without injuries.

"I intend to give opportunities to all the new players but I have to see how they feel tomorrow (Tuesday). It was a tough game against Argentina and they got very excited, so I will have to make a final decision closer to this game."

Dunga also revealed he would like his team to play the way they do for their clubs, albeit with some flexibility.

The 42-year-old, who was captain when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994, has embarked on a rebuilding process after the team's disappointment at this year's finals in Germany where they lost to France in the quarter-finals.

"I will try to get the players to play as close as possible to how they do for their clubs," he said.