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RIO DE JANERIO, June 26 (Reuters) - Brazil, who face Uruguay in a key World Cup qualifier on Sunday, suffered a blow on Tuesday when midfielder Mauro Silva pulled out through injury. Team doctor Jose Luis Runco said the 34-year-old defensive midfielder, recalled for the first time in three years after an excellent season in Spain with Deportivo Coruna, had pulled a thigh muscle in his right leg during training.

"Unfortunately, he won't be able to play on Sunday," Runco said, adding the player would need three weeks to recover and would probably have to miss next month's Copa America as well. "It's a typical end-of-season injury," said the player.

Brazil are fourth in the South American qualifying group, from which four teams qualify directly for the World Cup and the fifth plays off against Oceania winners Australia. Uruguay are sixth but will go level on points with Brazil and overtake fifth-placed Colombia if they win in Montevideo.