SANTIAGO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Felipe Loyola is set to miss Chile's away World Cup qualifier against Brazil on Thursday due to a shoulder injury.
The 24-year-old sustained a grade one sprain to the AC joint in his right shoulder while playing for Independiente in the Argentine club's goalless draw at Instituto on Friday.
The Avellaneda-based club said he would receive physiotherapy in coordination with Chile's national team. It did not provide a timeframe for his recuperation, but the injury usually requires a recovery period of around two weeks, according to medical experts.
The Roja didn't immediately name a replacement for Loyola and local media reported that he could be available for Chile's last World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Santiago on September 9.
Chile is currently last in the 10-team South American qualifying group and is out of the running for a place at next year's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The team's poor form led to the departure of Argentine manager Ricardo Gareca by mutual consent in June. Nicolas Cordova has assumed the managerial role on an interim basis for the last two qualifying matchdays. ■
