BERGISCH GLADBACH, June 25: Brazil striker Robinho is doubtful for Tuesday's World Cup second round match with Ghana, team doctor Jose Luis Runco said on Sunday.

Robinho ended training early on Saturday after suffering a twinge in his right thigh.

The player, whose speed and trickery gave Brazil a new dimension in a 4-1 win over Japan in their final group game on Thursday, was seen to clutch his thigh during shooting practice.

Robinho missed practice on Sunday. Instead he stayed in the team hotel undergoing physiotherapy.

Runco said Robinho had shown an improvement but would undergo an MRI scan on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

“We'll wait for the results of this before making any decision,” said Runco.

“If it's not a sprain, then he's free to train and play as soon as he doesn't feel any more pain.”

Runco added it was very unlikely that Robinho's injury would be serious enough to force him out the tournament.

Ballack misses training

BERLIN: Germany captain Michael Ballack did not take part in fitness training due to a small problem with his foot on Sunday, the day after his side's 2-0 second round win over Sweden, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.

Bierhoff gave no details about the problem but he did not suggest the influential midfielder's participation in Friday's quarter-final against Argentina was in any doubt.

“Michael Ballack missed regeneration training this morning because he has a small problem with his foot,” Bierhoff told reporters. “It's now being examined and treated. But apart from that, we're happy to have all the players fit.”—Reuters