Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari indicated on Thursday that Fernandinho will begin in midfield for Saturday's World Cup last 16 clash with Chile.

The Manchester City star played alongside the likely starters in a training game against substitutes at Brazil's Teresopolis base, suggesting that he could start for the first time in the tournament.

Paulinho, of Tottenham Hotspur, started in central midfield alongside Luiz Gustavo in each of Brazil's three Group A matches.

However, in Monday's 4-1 win over Cameroon in Brasilia, he was ineffective and was replaced at half-time by Fernandinho, who went on to score one goal and play a part in another.

"I don't think that goal in itself will be enough for me to come into the team," said Fernandinho after that match.

"It was just the consequence of the hard work put in during the match. The important thing is that I performed my role, winning back the ball and starting moves."

Nevertheless, that performance appears to have pushed him to the forefront of Scolari's thoughts, while Paulinho has struggled to reproduce his excellent performances during last year's Confederations Cup.

The 25-year-old endured a difficult season with Tottenham and struggled with an ankle problem at the beginning of Brazil's World Cup preparations.

There were also indications at Thursday's session that Scolari could make alterations to his previously settled defence.

Right-back Daniel Alves, whose performances have been the subject of criticism, was replaced by Maicon at the interval of Thursday's session, before centre-half David Luiz provided some cause for concern.

The Paris Saint-Germain player finished the session prematurely, appearing to suffer from back pain as he made his way off the pitch, with Dante taking his place.

Brazil will train in Belo Horizonte on Friday ahead of the Chile game.

afp