Philippe Coutinho in race to be fit for England vs Brazil despite missing last three Liverpool games

The attacking midfielder is recovering from a thigh problem

Philippe Coutinho is in contention to face England next week (Getty)

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho could return from a thigh problem to play against England at Wembley on Tuesday, according to their team doctor.

The 25-year-old picked up the injury last month and missed his third consecutive game for Liverpool as they beat West Ham United 4-1 to climb to fifth at the weekend.

Brazil play against Japan in France on Friday before facing England four days later, with Coutinho called up to the squad despite his lack of appearances over the last three weeks.

“The chances that he will play against Japan are tiny,” Brazil's team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar was quoted as saying by Globo Esportes. “He could be on the bench and play a few minutes.

“But we are working to make him available against England.”

His inclusion would be a huge boost to Brazil manager Tite, and would make his England counterpart Gareth Southgate’s task that little bit harder after he suffered a wave of player withdrawals this week.

Striker Harry Kane pulled out of the squad on Monday night, joining Tottenham Hotspur teammates Harry Winks and Dele Alli in withdrawing, while Tuesday saw Manchester City’s Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling leave the squad along with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

With two of England’s potential captains ruled out in Kane and Henderson, Gary Cahill is almost certain to captain the side if selected, and he joined up with Southgate’s side on Tuesday having recovered from a knock picked up for Chelsea at the weekend.

Coutinho has missed the last three Liverpool games (Getty)

To ease the withdrawals, Southgate has called up Everton defender Michael Keane, West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jake Livermore and Burnley’s Jack Cork, but has left out high-profile names such as Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to their lack of appearances at Arsenal and Liverpool this season.

Reuters