Rivaldo recovery plan gets reinforcement

Brazil have sent a physiotherapist to Barcelona to try and aid Rivaldo's recovery from injury.

The Barcelona striker has been suffering ankle problems and 'Sport' newspaper claims Renato Carvalho has been sent to the Catalan capital to try and help the Brazilian star recover fitness ahead of the World Cup finals.

Barca pleaded with Brazil to rest Rivaldo from their friendly draw last week in Portugal but the striker played most of the game and picked up a further ankle injury at the weekend in a league defeat.

Barca club doctor Ricard Pruna is in charge of trying to get Rivaldo fit for the Champions League semi final decider in Madrid next Wednesday and the Brazilian media has resurrected reports made earlier this year that the player needed right knee surgery.

Brazil team doctor Renato Fernandez says surgery is not needed and the player could be fit next week:

"Both myself and Barcelona's medical team do not feel an operation is necessary. We have planned an intensive training schedule ahead of the second match between Barcelona and Real Madrid."

Carvalho is now involved in supervising this work.