体坛英语新闻：Brazil forward Hulk plays down injury fears

TERESOPOLIS, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil forward Hulk has played down an injury scare that forced him to leave a training session early on Sunday.

The 27-year-old said the move was precautionary and insisted he is available for the Selecao's World Cup Group A clash against Mexico on Tuesday.

"I felt a twinge and stopped as a precaution because there are only two days until the match," Hulk told Brazilian television station Globo.

The injury occurred during a match between Brazil's first team and reserves at their Teresopolis base, near Rio de Janeiro.

Hulk was replaced in training by Chelsea midfielder Ramires, who could be given a starting berth at Fortaleza's Castelao stadium, should the Zenit Saint Petersburg player not recover in time.

"These pains can be a concern, but this is the World Cup and I want to play," Hulk said. "I will try to be ready but Felipao [Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari] will decide that."

Brazil's squad were due to fly to Fortaleza, in Brazil's northeast, on Sunday afternoon.

The tournament hosts lead the Group A standings after winning their opening match against Croatia 3-1 last Thursday.