Kaka may come to the rescue of Brazil

Former world player of the year Kaka may come to the rescue for Brazil on Wednesday as the five-time champions seek to galvanise their World Cup qualifying campaign against Peru.

Although in no apparent danger of missing out on one of the four qualifying slots for next year’s finals in South Africa the ‘auriverde’ have only won four of their 11 qualifiers to date and have not been firing on all cylinders – as witnessed by Sunday’s fortuitous draw in Ecuador.

That result left Dunga’s side a point behind both Argentina and Chile and five adrift of group leaders Paraguay.

Having felt moved to excuse the lethargic showing of Ronaldinho, who gave way to goalscorer Julio Baptista on Sunday, given the Ecuador match was played at altitude in Quito, Dunga is clearly banking on AC Milan clubmate Kaka to raise the standard Wednesday in Porto Alegre against group tailenders Peru.

Dunga said late Monday that Kaka was “in a fit state to play” and that suggested that Ronaldinho could well be benched for the match in his home city.

Kaka “is fit, though I don’t know how much of the game he will manage,” Dunga told reporters.

The 26-year-old has been undergoing a special training programme with physios following the foot injury he suffered in Serie A in February and he said late Monday he was feeling much better if not 100 percent.

“I would like to be able to play and after this latest training session I saw I was pretty much ready to play – but I don’t know how long for,” said the star in echoing Dunga’s own assessment.

“I am much better and I am available for Dunga,” he added following an energetic training session against youngsters from Brazilian side Gremio.

“If I am in a fit state to do so I’d like to get through the 90 minutes,” he said.

“I want to help all those who were with me in this exercise (of recuperating). After so many days without playing I have got back my fitness and now am ready to help the Brazilian team,” he concluded.