Pato In As Dunga Names Squad

Brazil travel to Croke Park in Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland on the 6th February and it seems that Dunga will use the friendly as an opportunity to blood some younger players who will be in contention for a place in his Olympic Games squad later his year.

Alexandre Pato is a notable inclusion in the squad, having made a spectacular scoring debut for AC Milan against Napoli two weeks ago and will be hoping to cement his place in Dunga's Olympic squad with a good performance against the Irish.

Fluminense's Thiago Neves receives his first call-up to the senior side and is joined by the familiar presence of Kaka and Julio Baptista in the attacking midfielder positions.

Premiership midfielders Lucas Leiva of Liverpool and Anderson of Manchester United are also both included in the squad as Dunga starts to look beyond the ageing partnership of Gilberto Silva and Mineiro in the centre of the midfield and are joined by the São Paulo pair of Hernanes and Richarlyson.

Defensively, new Bayern Munich signing Breno gets his first call-up as does Schalke full-back Rafinha.

Internacional goalkeeper Renan is included in the senior squad for the first time alongside regular keeper Júlio Cesar of Inter Milan.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Renan (Internacional-BR), Júlio Cesar (Inter Milan-ITA)

Full-backs: Maicon (Inter Milan-ITA), Rafinha (Schalke-GER), Marcelo (Real Madrid-ESP)

Defenders: Alex (Chelsea-ENG), Luisão (Benfica-POR), Lúcio (Bayern Munich-GER), Breno (Bayern Munich-GER)

Defensive Midfielders: Hernanes (São Paulo-BR), Lucas (Liverpool-ENG), Richarlyson (São Paulo-BR), Josué (Wolfsburg-GER)

Attacking Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United-ENG), Thiago Neves (Fluminense-BR), Júlio Baptista (Real Madrid-ESP), Kaká (AC Milan-ITA)

Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid-ESP), Luís Fabiano (Sevilla-ESP), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan-ITA), Rafael Sóbis (Betis-ESP)

Sao Paulo Coach Ready To Start With Adriano

Adriano had trouble establishing himself as a regular at the Serie A club and things got worse when he lost his form and started enjoying the party lifestyle rather than focus on impressing Roberto Mancini.

The former Parma striker had hardly played a game in almost two years for the Nerazzurri and was left out of Inter’s Champions League squad this season. However it seems as if Adriano has every chance of rediscovering his former self with the Brazilian champions.

"As long as he's fit, he's going to play in our first game," Ramalho told media sources in Brazil. "I have a lot of experience in helping players improve and that will certainly happen with Adriano here. He's here for six months and my job is to make the most of him."

Ramalho was full of praise for his new striker and he is confident that Adriano will be able to impress his new side. "Adriano is not just strength alone. He's a player who knows what he's doing."

On his arrival in Brazil the striker had promised that he would change his antics and get into shape for his new side, however only a couple of days later Adriano was seen partying with Milan striker Ronaldo and several days later he was lucky to escape un-hurt from a car accident in Rio.