David Luiz´s Brazil exile continues as Casemiro returns

Brazil coach Tite has once more left Chelsea defender David Luiz out of his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.

The centre-back has not featured for the Selecao since the 2-2 draw with Uruguay in March 2016, with Tite ignoring him ever since taking charge in June last year.

David Luiz has been in sublime form for Chelsea this campaign to help his team to the top of the Premier League table, but it has not been enough to earn a recall to the national team.

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, meanwhile, returns to the fold after missing Brazil’s last four qualifiers due to injury, while Flamengo playmaker Diego is among the notable inclusions after a lengthy absence.

Sport Recife forward Diego Souza makes the cut in the injured Gabriel Jesus’ absence.

Brazil face Uruguay in Montevideo on March 23 before hosting Paraguay in Sao Paulo five days later.

They sit atop of the table with 27 points from 12 games heading into this month’s matches, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Uruguay.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Weverton (Atletico PR), Ederson (Benfica).

Defenders: Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos, (PSG) Thiago Silva (PSG) Miranda (Inter) Gil (Shandong Luneng), Dani Alves (Juventus), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid, Marcelo (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande), Giuliano (Zenit), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Diego (Flamengo) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Willian (Chelsea).

Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich) Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) Diego Souza (Sport).