Fabio Aurelio given Brazil chance in friendlies

* Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio among newcomers to Dunga squad

* Dunga names 24-man squad of European-based players

* Brazil meet England in Qatar, then visit Oman (Adds quotes, details)

By Pedro Fonseca

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Liverpool wing back Fabio Aurelio was handed the chance of snatching a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad when he was named for the Middle East friendlies against England and Oman next month.

Coach Dunga named a 24-man squad on Tuesday made up entirely of European-based players so as not to disrupt local clubs in the run-in to the Brazilian championship. Strike pair Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim) and Hulk (Porto) and full back Michel Bastos of Olympique Lyon have been called up for the first time.

“It’s an option of ours to bring in players with other characteristics to see how they’re going to fit in to the national team,” Dunga told a news conference.

The 30-year-old Fabio Aurelio has no senior caps but played for Brazil at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 before his move to Europe to join former club Valencia.

“He’s a player who knows how to mark, he’s accustomed to European football. We spoke to him some time back about a call-up but he was injured and we couldn’t pick him. Now we’re going to give him that chance,” Dunga said.

Manchester City forward Robinho, who has not played since suffering an ankle injury during Brazil’s 3-1 win over Argentina on Sept. 5, was included despite having only just recovered.

“He has recovered, we’ve spoken to him. We’re going to take him to (to the friendlies) to give him the chance to accelerate his return to the pitch,” said Dunga.

Brazil and England, who have both qualified for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, meet in Doha on Nov. 14 before Dunga’s men take on Oman in Muscat three days later.

The Brazilians have had a successful year, winning the Confederations Cup in South Africa and the South American World Cup qualifying group.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fabio Aurelio (Liverpool), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Juan (AS Roma), Naldo (Werder Bremen)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Elano (Galatasaray), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Benfica), Alex (CSKA Moscow), Kaka (Real Madrid)

Forwards: Robinho (Manchester City), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Hulk (Porto), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim).

(Writing by Rex Gowar in Buenos Aires, editing by Tony Jimenez and Justin Palmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)