Brazil prepares for Switzerland without stars

STORY: Duo Neymar and Danilo will miss their country's remaining two group games and face a fight to be fit for the knockout stage after sustaining injuries in Thursday's (November 24) 2-0 win over Serbia, a source close to the team told Reuters on Friday.

Brazil tops Group G and will face Switzerland and then Cameroon on Friday (December 2). The team's doctor said that talisman Neymar and ever-reliable full-back Danilo would only miss the Swiss game.

Neymar has had problems with his right foot and ankle for several years and looked distraught when he left the pitch late in Thursday's match.

His replacement should be Real Madrid prodigy Rodrygo, who played in Neymar's position in Brazil's three practice games that Reuters had access to in Turin in the week prior to the World Cup.

However, the biggest question mark is regarding Danilo's replacement, as a 39-year-old veteran, Dani Alves is the only right back available.

The former Barcelona man played his last game for Mexican side UNAM Pumas in September and sustained a knee injury that has been troubling him since.

Monday's match will be played at Stadium 974 at 1900 local time (1600 GMT).