Oscar Returns to Brazil Squad, Kaka Axed for Chile, Venezuela Qualifiers

Chelsea midfielder Oscar will return to the Brazil squad for their 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela after missing out on the Copa America due to injury, while there will be no place for Orlando City's Kaka, according to Goal.com.

The Selecao will continue to be without captain Neymar as he serves his four-match suspension after being sent off in the Copa America, and centre-back Thiago Silva is again omitted despite the inclusion of Paris Saint-Germain team-mates David Luiz and Marquinhos.

Here is the full squad, courtesy of Goal.com:

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio), Alisson (Internacional).
Defenders	David Luiz (PSG), Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos (PSG), Gil (Corinthians), Fabinho (Monaco), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Midfielders	Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Elias (Corinthians), Renato Augusto (Corinthians), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Lucas Lima (Santos), Lucas Moura (PSG), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea)
Attackers	Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Hulk (Zenit)

Oscar's return and the call-up of Philippe Coutinho could have prompted Kaka's exclusion, given that they all feature in attacking midfield. However, it's also possible the 33-year-old is injured.

According to Alicia DelGallo of the Orlando Sentinel, Kaka missed Sunday's game with Sporting Kansas City due to injury. Though Orlando City medical director Daryl Osbahr described it as "not severe," Brazil coach Dunga could simply be playing it safe.

As for Silva's omission, it follows the frustrating path his international career has taken since Dunga took over. Brazil blogger Selecao Brasileira is equally frustrated by Silva being left out:

"

I'm mostly disappointed that Thiago Silva and Pato are out. I somehow understand Pato's exclusion, but not Thiago Silva. The best defender.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) September 17, 2015"

Indeed, according to French football journalist Jonathan Johnson, Silva's centre-back partnership with Luiz for PSG is yet to be breached this season. Further, the 30-year-old is far more reliable than Luiz as a defender, so his exclusion appears rather petty.

If he can have a strong campaign with PSG, he may be able to force his way back into Dunga's plans. As a top-quality defender and from his early-season form, it certainly seems likely he'll continue to play well and earn more silverware come the end of the campaign.

However, his international frustrations could well be set to continue regardless, given the coach has already shown a willingness to exclude him despite playing well domestically.