By Brian Homewood LONDON (Reuters) - Brazil left back Marcelo boosted his hopes of making Brazil's World Cup squad next year with a performance against Russia which earned lavish praise from coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari said that before the match he had doubts about the Real Madrid's defensive abilities, but those had been laid to rest by his efforts in the 1-1 draw against Russia. "Everyone says Marcelo attacks well but has problems when it comes to marking," Scolari told reporters.

LONDON (Reuters) - Luiz Felipe Scolari's only bad memory of Chelsea was the cold, the Brazil coach said on Sunday as he returned to a frigid Stamford Bridge for the first time since being unceremoniously sacked in 2009. "I'm happy to be here again, it's a place where I enjoyed working," said the man known as Felipao (Big Phil), whose side face Russia in a friendly on Monday. "The only think I didn't like was the cold, I'm not used to it anymore."

Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted Wednesday he is still undecided whether veteran pair Kaka and Ronaldinho can have a future together with the Brazilian national team. Ronaldinho has not been called up by the 2002 World Cup winning coach this time for friendlies against Italy in Geneva on Thursday and Russia in London on Monday. But last month it was Kaka who missed out while Ronaldinho was included in the 2-1 defeat to England at Wembley.

By Brian Homewood LONDON, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Ronaldinho's Brazil return after a one-year absence ended ignominiously when he missed a penalty and was substituted at halftime following a dismal performance in the 2-1 friendly defeat by England on Wednesday. Even taking into account that the Brazilian season has only just started and he is not fully match fit, the 32-year-old's performance was so ponderous that it raised questions about the wisdom of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's decision to recall him.