Chelsea FC defender Alex will miss the London club's two remaining UEFA Champions League group games after being forced to undergo knee surgery.
The 28-year-old was sidelined for Chelsea's recent Premier League matches against Fulham FC and Sunderland AFC, and has now pulled out of Brazil's squad for this week's friendly against Argentina. He will have an arthroscopic operation on his right knee to investigate the extent of his injury, a procedure that will keep him out of action for six to eight weeks.
Chelsea have also issued a statement on the fitness of captain and fellow centre-back John Terry after he also missed the Sunderland defeat and withdrew from England's squad to play France tomorrow. Terry, 29, will "continue seeing various specialists" after experiencing nerve pain in his right leg.
Alex partnered Terry for five of Chelsea's first seven league fixtures during which the Blues conceded just one goal. However, both were absent as Carlo Ancelotti's side lost 3-0 at home to Sunderland on Sunday. Chelsea are through to the UEFA Champions League knockout phase after winning all four of their Group F games and need a point against MŠK Žilina on 23 November to secure top spot.