Brazil’s World Cup plans have been thrown into disarray with the news that team captain Emeron will miss the tournament after dislocating his shoulder.

“This injury takes four weeks to recover so he will not be able to play any more in this World Cup,” team doctor Carlos Runco announced on Sunday.

The Roma midfielder picked up the injury on Saturday night as Brazil trained at the Ulsan Munsu stadium. Emerson was playing in goal at the time and stayed down after saving a shot from Rivaldo. His loss is a massive blow to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s hopes of leading Brazil to a record fith success in the competition.

Rivaldo explained the unusual circumstances in which E,erson sustained the dislocation.

“I shot and I think Emerson had a problem becausehe’s not a goalkeeper,’ said Rivaldo. ‘He doesn’t know how to fall on the floor and that’s why he injured the shoulder.’

His team-mate Roberto Carlos added: “When he fell we didn’t think it was serious, but he stayed on the floor and we knew something had happened.”

Brazil have appealed to FIFA for permission to call-up a replacement for Emerson.