Flamengo still eyeing Adriano return

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 16 (IANS) Flamengo president Patricia Amorim says the club could still re-sign former Brazil international striker Adriano.

The 30-year-old has been undergoing physiotherapy under the guidance of Flamengo medical staff after surgery on his left Achilles tendon in April, reports Xinhua.

"He really needs to recover because the process has been slower than everybody would have liked," Amorim said Wednesday.

"We will make a decision only when he is fit. Like always I will leave it in the hands of the football department.

"The feedback I've had from them (football department) has been positive. He has a great affinity with the club and its fans and that certainly makes it easier."

Adriano, once regarded as one of the world's top strikers, has played just nine games in the past two years.

He was released by Flamengo's Brazilian rivals Corinthians in March due to an alleged lack of commitment towards his recovery from injury.

The former Inter Milan and Roma forward helped Flamengo win the 2009 Brazilian Serie A championship with 19 goals from 31 matches.