Rio de Janeiro, Nov 4 (NationPress) - Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti has included uncapped left-back Luciano Juba in his squad for the upcoming friendlies, while Neymar Jr. will not participate due to injury. The matches against Senegal and Tunisia are scheduled to take place in England and France this month.

Rejoining the squad are Fabinho, a defensive midfielder from Al-Ittihad, and Vitor Roque, a forward from Palmeiras.

Juba, 26, has demonstrated his versatility by also excelling in central midfield during his time with Bahia in Brazil’s Serie A this season.

"He possesses a vital technical profile," Ancelotti mentioned in a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. "His ability to perform centrally while displaying excellent form with Bahia earns him this chance for a closer evaluation."

He commended Fabinho, who last represented Brazil in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. Ancelotti sees Fabinho, who can also function as a right-back or central defender, as a potential backup for Casemiro from Manchester United.

"We are looking for an option that complements Casemiro's style," the Italian coach stated. "Fabinho offers a distinct defensive profile, along with valuable experience from playing at a high level in Europe."

Roque, who has only one cap for Brazil dating back to 2023, has netted 17 goals and provided five assists since his transfer from Barcelona to Palmeiras in February.

"He has had an excellent season in the Brazilian Serie A, making him a valuable asset for these two matches," Ancelotti commented on the 20-year-old forward.

As anticipated, Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer, has been excluded following his recent return from injury during a 1-1 draw against Fortaleza.

The 33-year-old has not played for his country since sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

Brazil is set to face Senegal at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 15, followed by a match against Tunisia at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille three days later.

These fixtures provide Ancelotti with one of his final opportunities to experiment ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Brazil's Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bento, Ederson, Hugo Souza.

Defenders: Eder Militao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Caio Henrique, Danilo, Fabricio Bruno, Luciano Juba, Paulo Henrique, Wesley.

Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Andrey Santos, Fabinho, Lucas Paqueta.

Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, Vitor Roque.