BERGISCH GLADBACH, Germany _ Brazil striker Robinho is recovering from the right thigh injury that ruled him out of Tuesday's World Cup match against Ghana and should be ready for the quarterfinals.

Team doctors say Robinho likely will be better in time for Saturday's match against France, if coach Carlos Alberto Parreira wants him to play.

Robinho said he had been in touch with his family in Brazil, who were concerned when they learned about his injury from television news reports.

"I spoke with my dad and my mom. They were a bit worried because they know it's rare for me to get injured," Robinho said. "I told them it was nothing serious, that I couldn't play for this game but that in the next few days I'd be able to play. But it's normal for parents to worry."

The 22-year-old forward is the joker of the Brazil squad, composing and singing songs to entertain his teammates.

"Singing? No, not now," Robinho said. "That's what we do when we're on the bus on our way to training. (The other players) have all been asking me how I'm doing, saying they hope it's nothing serious."

Robinho is playing in his first World Cup and his stylish footwork on the pitch has gained him massive popularity among Brazilians, many of whom would like to see him play regularly rather than as backup to the "magic quartet" of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka.

He has scored six goals in 23 matches with Brazil and led Santos to two Brazilian league titles before going to Real Madrid in 2005.

Robinho replaced Adriano against Japan after Parreira decided to rest some of the regular starters and give some of the reserves playing time.

"Robinho is a player who gives us a lot of options," Parreira said. "It's a pity (he is injured). He was very motivated."

Robinho has been undergoing treatment at the Brazilians' luxury hilltop castle near Cologne since he was injured during a training session on Saturday.

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