Brazil Squad For Copa America

Baptista, who experienced a decidedly mixed season on loan to English Premiership side Arsenal during 2006-07, will join up with the squad ahead of the eagerly awaited South American championship, which kcks off in Venezuela on 15th July.

'The Beast' gets his chance because Ze Roberto, 32, has bowed out of the selecao.

Ze Roberto is expected to return to his Bundesliga club Bayern Munich after ending a brief spell with Brazilians Santos. He had initially been named in Dunga's squad, which is already shorn of Kaka and Ronaldinho who are restin to avoid burn-out.

"Having represented the Brazilian national team for more than 12 years and 86 matches with commitment, dignity, loyalty and dedication, I have decided to end my international career," he said.

Brazil, who were Copa America champions in 2004, have been drawn in Group B together with Chile, Mexico and Ecuador.

Dunga's revised squad is as follows:

Doni (Roma), Helton (Porto);

Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Maicon (Internazionale), Kleber (Santos), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Alex, Naldo (Werder Bremen), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen);

Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Josue (Sao Paulo), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Fernando (Bordeaux), Elano (Shaktar Donetsk), Diego (Werder Bremen), Anderson (Porto);

Robinho (Real Madrid), Vagner Love, Fred (Lyon), Afonso (Herenveen), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid).