Robinho very doubtful for Ghana clash

Brazilian striker Robinho, seen here training , June 24, is considered a doubtful starter for the five-time world champions second round clash with Ghana on Tuesday.

Brazilian striker Robinho is considered a doubtful starter for the five-time world champions second round clash with Ghana on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Real Madrid star will undergo on Monday a scan on his painful right thigh which forced him to leave training early on Saturday.

"It is still painful so that is why he has to undergo the scan," said team doctor Jose Luis Runco.

"For the moment, we don't know whether it is simply a bruise which would be good news.

"Or in the worst case scenario if it is a strained muscle in which case he would have to undergo treatment.

"We will find out on Monday," added Runco.

There had been rumours that coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was veering towards choosing Robinho to partner Ronaldo ahead of the barrel chested Adriano.

Robinho has impressed in all three group matches, two as a substitute and then starting the 4-1 win in preference to Adriano, who scored in the 2-0 win over Australia, and it had been reported that Adriano had not been happy at playing no role in the final group match.

Parreira denied that flatly on Saturday while Ronaldo, who showed something approaching a return to form with a brace in the win over Japan, on Sunday said he didn't have a preference as to who partnered him up front.