Pedrinho doubtful to feature in Thursday's Copa Sudamerica cash | OneFootball

Corinthians will travel to Rio de Janeiro to face Fluminense in Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana quarter-final second-leg tie and will need to put in a great performance after a scoreless first leg.

However, they will likely be without one of their most vital performers.

Pedrinho, who suffered a hip injury against Botafogo on 17 August, started the first-leg clash just five days later but couldn’t deal with the pain and was forced to come off in the 75th minute.

“It was a blow that comes from the game against Botafogo,” Pedrinho said. “I’m hurting in my hip and my ribs, it bothers me a lot just to get around.”

To make matters worse, manager Fábio Carille has very few options to replace the 21-year-old. Ramiro did not impress whatsoever against Avai, while Everaldo, who would make Clayson change positions, is ineligible as he started the Sudamericana campaign with Fluminense before signing for Corinthians in May.

Carille could also move Vagner Love out wide and put Mauro Boselli alone up top.

A scoreless draw on Thursday night would send the match to penalties, while Corinthians would have the away goals advantage should they get on the board.