Brazil have suffered a blow with a month to go until the World Cup with the news that Dani Alves will miss the tournament due to a knee injury.
Alves injured as PSG beat Les Herbiers
AS understands that the marauding full-back suffered damage to the cruciate ligament in his right knee during PSG's Coupe de Final victory against Les Herbiers.
Alves will require an operation and will be sidelined for between four and six months. The news that he would miss the World Cup was broken by Fox Sports Brazil, after initial reports that the injury would only lead to a three-week absence.
Dani Alves celebrates the Coupe de France victory with Brazil team-mate Neymar. Jean Catuffe (Getty Images)
Tite left with limited options
It is particularly bad news for Tite, the Brazil coach, because not only was Dani Alves an influential figure in the dressing room, he is also the only elite-level Brazilian player in his position.
Three right-backs will now fight for two places in Tite's 23-man squad: Danilo of Manchester City, Rafinha of Bayern Munich, and Fágner of Corinthians, the club that Tite previously managed.
