Brazil head teach Tite is bullish that Philippe Coutinho can assist update the injured Neymar in his first appearance in countrywide colorings for extra than 12 months.
Coutinho, who in advance this month joined Aston Villa on mortgage from Barcelona, is ready to line up for Selecao in place of the suspended Lucas Paqueta in Thursday's World Cup qualifier away to Ecuador.
The 29-year-antique has now not played for Brazil for the reason that October 2020 having undergone knee surgery in January 2021.
Coutinho's return coincides with the absence of Neymar who's out for the imminent qualifiers with an ankle harm.
"People usually want Neymar, but at instances things do not appear the manner you need," Tite instructed journalists.
"We experience sorry that Neymar can't be right here, however we've got different alternatives. I'm talking approximately Coutinho. He is a player that may play in that function and I consider in his pleasant.
"Coutinho is an critical participant and he's been getting better to his satisfactory level."
He added: "From a social and human point of view, I recognize how much time he has invested and the challenges he has confronted to recover from harm."
Ex-Liverpool forward Coutinho has began existence at Villa brightly, netting the equalizing intention inside the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on debut.
Brazil have already clinched their spot at Qatar 2022, however Tite desired to push his gamers inside the qualifiers in opposition to Ecuador and also Paraguay on Tuesday.
