Leverkusen send Renato home to Brazil

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Renato Augusto has been sent back to Brazil by the Bundesliga leaders to receive treatment for a knee injury and to enjoy a short break.

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Renato Augusto is heading to Brazil to take some time off.

The 21-year-old, who has made seven league appearances this season,has already flown back to his homeland after being given the green light to consult his doctor of choice about a problem which has ruled him out of his club's last two Bundesliga fixtures.

"He has an oedema [fluid] on his knee,'' Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller explained in the Express newspaper. "We have all sat down and decided that he should fly to Brazil.

"He will be treated there and he can also switch off. We expect Renato back at the start of next week.''

Wolfsburg also recently sent their striker Grafite back to Brazil for a week, although he was granted a complete break from football after a dip in form.