Rio de Janeiro, Feb 25 (IANS): Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has included strikers Fred and Jo in his squad for next month's international friendly against South Africa.
Goalkeeper Jefferson was also named as a back-up to first choice stopper Julio Cesar, reports Xinhua.
"It's another chance to get the group together for the last time before the squad is announced for the World Cup. It will be an important test against a team that recently beat Spain. It's a good time to speak to the players and the coaching staff about planning for the World Cup," Scolari said Monday.
Fred, 30, has not played for the Selecao since August and has missed most of the past six months with a serious thigh injury.
Scolari had already named 16 players for the March 5 friendly in Johannesburg. He delayed naming the rest of the squad until Monday to observe players based in Brazil, where the domestic season has just begun.
Brazil's World Cup squad is expected to be named May 7.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto), Jefferson (Botafogo).
Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo ( Real Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea).
Strikers: Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Willian (Chelsea), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense).