Elano will not play for Brazil in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal match against the Netherlands because of a right ankle injury, a team doctor said Wednesday.
Jose Luis Runco said Elano may be fit by next week but did not rule out the possibility that the playmaker could miss the rest of the World Cup.
Runco said Elano was progressing clinically but exams showed the player has a bruised bone which will keep him from being able to practice with the rest of the players at least until Friday.
Elano scored a goal in each of Brazil's first two matches and was practicing normally Tuesday but was forced to leave after apparently feeling pain in the ankle.
He was undergoing a light training session with the rest of the players but had to cut it short after consulting with team doctors.
Elano was hit in the ankle after a hard tackle in the 67th minute in the match against Ivory Coast in Brazil's second match in the group stage. Doctors initially said the injury was not serious but the Galatasaray midfielder failed to recover in time for Brazil's matches against Portugal and Chile.
He also missed several practice sessions but had apparently recovered and was set to play in the round of 16 match against the Chileans on Monday.
Runco said Elano didn't play because he felt a bit insecure, and the doctor then decided to have Elano undergo more detailed exams that eventually showed the extent of the injury.
Elano, a regular in Dunga's team since the coach took over the Brazilian squad after the 2006 World Cup, has played 46 matches with Brazil, scoring nine goals.
Dunga again may also be without midfielder Felipe Melo, who is nursing a left ankle injury sustained late in the first half against Portugal. He didn't play against Chile because of the injury. - Sapa-AP