Brazilian midfielder breaks leg

Corinthians midfielder Roger had surgery Monday on his broken right leg and will be out for the remainder of the season, the team said.

Roger, who played for Portugal's Benfica and the Brazilian national team, also snapped his ligaments in a clash for a loose ball during a league game with Vasco da Gama on Sunday. The teams drew 1-1.

Corinthians leads the first-division championship with 71 points, nine ahead of Internacional, and also is competing in the Copa Sudamericana.

Corinthians, a three-time national champion, acquired Roger from Benfica this year for a reported US$7 million.

The team plays Cruzeiro on Wednesday, and coach Antonio Lopes is expected to pick Carlos Alberto or Hugo to start in Roger's slot, AP reports.

A. A.