Adriano out of WC qualifiers

Brazil striker Adriano has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifiers against Peru on Sunday and Uruguay the following Wednesday because of a knee injury.

Adriano was taken off on a stretcher in the 43rd minute of the Italian Serie A game between his club Inter Milan and Fiorentina on Sunday which Inter won 3-2.

"The Italian club's medical department sent the CBF (Brazilian federation) a report explaining the injury to Adriano's right knee which makes it impossible for him to take part against Peru and Uruguay," said the CBF on its official website.

Inter said on Sunday that Adriano had a "suspected light strain to his medial ligament on his right knee".

Despite his

outstanding season with Inter, Adriano is still not a regular in the Brazil team, where Ronaldinho and Ronaldo usually play in attack.

He has not started a game since the friendly away to Germany last September.

However, Adriano made his mark at international level when Brazil fielded a second string at last year's Copa America, scoring seven goals to finish top scorer and help Brazil to win the title.

The CBF said the Santos midfielder Ricardinho, a reserve in the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, had been named as a replacement.

Brazil face Peru in Goiania on Sunday before facing the difficult visit to Montevideo's Centenario stadium.

The world champions are second in the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 20 points from 11 games.