CARACAS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Central defender Ruben Ramirez will miss Venezuela's FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru due to a torn hamstring, the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) said in a statement on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury while playing for Bolivia's Club Bolivar, and MRI scans confirmed he would be unavailable for the double header of qualifiers.
"The diagnosis has led to the player being removed from the squad so that he can continue the recovery process at his club," the FVF said in a statement.
Ramirez's confirmed absence follows the withdrawal of Talleres Cordoba defender Miguel Navarro, who also has a leg muscle injury.
Venezuela will meet Ecuador in Quito on Friday and Peru in Maturin next Tuesday. The Vinotinto is currently eighth in the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from as many outings. ■
