Doctors help Ronaldinho to recover from injury

Ronaldinho is trying to recover from injury of his right ankle before World Cup qualifier against Peru.

Photo: Doctors help Ronaldinho to recover from injury

Coach Dunga canceled practice Thursday at the team's mountain training camp in Teresopolis, near Rio, while the FC Barcelona star underwent special weight training to stay in game condition in the hope that his injured ankle heals in time.

"With these exercises Ronaldinho won't be jeopardized physically," physical therapist Luiz Alberto Rosan said Thursday on the Brazilian Soccer Confederation's Web site.

Ronaldinho, a World Cup veteran twice named FIFA's Player of the Year, hurt his right ankle in a game for Barcelona and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game with Peru in Lima. The rest of the squad including stars Kaka and Robinho are healthy and expected to be available.

Dunga is worried about the team's preparation, and on Wednesday barred a visit by 26 candidates for the Miss Teresopolis beauty pageant who turned up at the training camp to see their idols.

"I'm so disappointed and I can't believe I won't get to see Ronaldinho," 19-year-old Daniela Bella told the Terra Web site.

The team travels to Peru on Friday, two days before the game. Brazil then returns to face Uruguay on Wednesday in Sao Paulo.

Brazil tied Colombia 0-0 and trounced Ecuador 5-0 in previous qualifiers. The five-time World Cup champions trail leader Argentina by two points in the 10-nation South American qualifying tournament.