Brazil wait on Elano

World Cup favourites Brazil were waiting on the fitness of Elano as they trained for Friday's World Cup meeting with their former colonial masters Portugal. Elano picked up a calf strain in the win over Ivory Coast which guaranteed the five-times champions' place in the last 16 though he is expected to be fit for the final Group G match. Brazil have racked up a 2-1 win over North Korea and a 3-1 victory over Ivory Coast to sit pretty on six points whereas Portugal need draw to be absolutely certain of second place as the Ivorians could theoretically still just pip them.

Elano, who scored in both games, took part in some but not all of Wednesday's session at Saint Sthithians College in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Sandton, jogging and then taking part in a special session with a physical trainer while his squadmates worked on set pieces. 

- I feel better- had said Elano, out the day session but insisted

Coach Dunga allowed reporters barely half an hour before bringing down the shutters - a tactic which has infuriated a media desperate for more information on tactics from the camp. With Elano's fitness still in some doubt Benfica's Ramires is on stand-by.

Kaka is suspended after his harsh red card against Ivory Coast and Dunga is still mulling his replacement, though the favourite is AS Roma's Julio Baptista. Another option is to move Robinho slightly further back and field Villarreal forward Nilmar or else be more conservative and stiffen midfield with Daniel Al