JOAO PEDRO WITHDRAWS FROM BRAZIL SQUAD DUE TO INJURY

Joao Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil's squad because of injury, according to reports, two days before Chelsea are due to play Brentford. The Chelsea forward's absence from international duty comes ahead of a Premier League fixture set for Friday, 18 September. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed the situation in comments reported by Sportskeeda, giving an update on Joao Pedro's fitness. Alonso stopped short of ruling the forward out of the match against Brentford.

Joao Pedro had been included in Brazil's squad before the injury forced his withdrawal from the group. Chelsea's Premier League meeting with Brentford is scheduled to kick off on Friday. Alonso's remarks came when he was asked specifically about Joao Pedro's availability ahead of that fixture. The Chelsea manager gave no further detail on the nature of the injury or how it was sustained. His response left open the possibility that Joao Pedro could still feature against Brentford.

Reports described the injury as a setback for Chelsea ahead of the Brentford match. Joao Pedro's withdrawal also means he misses out on involvement with Brazil during the current international window. Alonso's comments leave the forward's involvement against Brentford unresolved in the days before kick-off. Chelsea have not disclosed further information on the injury or provided a timeframe for Joao Pedro's return, according to reports.