Pato out for six weeks, withdrawn from Brazil squad

Milan :AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato was ruled out for six weeks with a thigh muscle injury on Friday and has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad to face Argentina in a friendly in Qatar next week.

Pato suffered the latest in a series of problems in Milan`s 3-1 win over Palermo on Wednesday. "A recovery time of around six weeks is estimated," a Milan statement said.His injury comes as a fresh blow to the Serie A leaders, who already lost fellow striker Filippo Inzaghi for the season after the 37-year-old suffered knee ligament damage on Wednesday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now Milan`s only out-and-out frontman with Robinho, Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf offering options as a second striker. Pato, 21, is top scorer for the new Brazil side coached by Mano Menezes with a goal in each of the team`s three friendly wins against the United States, Iran and Ukraine since August. The Brazilian federation (CBF) said a replacement would not be called up for the friendly next Wednesday. Menezes still has Andre, Neymar, Robinho and the recalled Ronaldinho as forwards. Bureau Report