体坛英语新闻：Scolari refuses to rule out Adriano World Cup return

FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Wednesday refused to rule out striker Adriano's chances of playing in this year's World Cup.

Adriano, who has not represented the national team since 2010, played his first match for nearly two years last week with a late appearance as a substitute for Atletico Paranaense in their 1-0 victory over The Strongest in the Copa Libertadores.

"There are lots of stories. Everybody lobbies for one player or another. We all do it when we want a player to do well," Scolari said during a press conference.

When asked if Adriano could be considered for the World Cup, Scolari replied: "I consider every Brazilian player. Some more and others less.

"There are some that haven't played for some years. I am looking at everything. But I have to make my observations in accordance with a series of factors, not just one."

Scolari's comments follow claims by local press that the 65-year-old earlier this week sought Atletico Paranaense's football director Antonio Lopes to discuss Adriano's fitness.

"That's not true. You don't talk about whether a player is fit if it's clearly not the case," Scolari said.

Adriano, 31, was once considered one of the best strikers in world football.

He has scored 27 goals from 48 matches for Brazil and won the Golden Ball award for the best player at both the 2004 Copa America and 2005 [Confederations Cup, in which he also top-scored.

But injury and disciplinary problems have prompted a rapid fall from grace for the former Inter Milan forward.

His latest comeback follows two Achilles tendon operations in as many years. During that time he was sacked by both Corinthians and Flamengo due to lifestyle issues and lack of commitment to training.

His return comes as Scolari continues his search for a centre forward for the World Cup.

Brazil's leading goalscorer at last year's Confederations Cup, Fred, has just returned for Fluminense after a six-month injury absence while other No. 9 contenders Leandro Damiao and Alexandre Pato have struggled for form over the past year.

Meanwhile Scolari will Monday add up to three players to his 16-man squad named earlier this month for Brazil's March 5 friendly against South Africa.