Midfielder Jean Lucas earns first Brazil call-up

Uncapped midfielder Jean Lucas has been drafted into Brazil's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old replaces Newcastle's Joelinton, who suffered a groin injury in his team's 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday.

Lucas, who began his career at Flamengo and played for Brazil at under-23 level, has impressed this season for Bahia, an unexpected challenger for a top-four finish in Brazil's 20-team Serie A.

Flamengo left-back Alex Sandro was also withdrawn from Brazil's 23-man squad because of a calf injury. The CBF did not immediately name a replacement for the former Juventus defender.

Brazil will face Chile at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on September 4 and Bolivia in El Alto five days later.

The five-time World Cup winners are third in the 10-team South American zone standings and are already assured of a place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.