体坛英语新闻：Adriano to be excluded from Corinthians' Libertadores roster

2RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Corinthians have not yet listed Adriano among the 25 squad for the 2012 Libertadores Cup on Saturday due to his excess in weight and lack of physical conditioning.

According to head coach Tite, Adriano has not made any physical progress and remains unfit to play. The striker is restricted to cardiovascular activities off-the-field with the club's trainers and has yet to play in a regular season match and will not play in the fifth round of the Sao Paulo state championship when his team faces Bragantino on February 5.

Due to his current physical state and his lack of experience so far this season, Adriano will likely be left off the team's roster of players eligible to play in this year's Libertadores Cup.

Corinthians make their debut in the continental tournament on February 15 on the road against Venezuela's Deportivo Tachira FC. Carrying 30 players, of which Adriano is not included, Tite will have to narrow his list down to 25 by February 14.

Since his arrival at Corinthians, Adriano has only played in a handful of games due to injuries and resulting surgeries. His off- field problems and his expressed lack of commitment by not appearing to a number of practices, the club is counting down the days until his contract expires.

With his contract expiring in June, Corinthians appear eager to drop the costly athlete. One possible re-location would be his return to Flamengo.

With the removal of head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and arrival of Joel Santana, talks are soon to begin.