With Fred's participation in Fluminense's practices on Friday and Saturday, fans and staff alike are eager to see the striker play in his first ever Flamengo-Fluminense interstate showdown.

Despite suffering from a left groin injury, the player is allegedly ready to return to the field and participate in his first ever cross-town rivalry.

Already guaranteed to proceed to the semifinals of the Rio de Janeiro state championship, Fluminense looks to win the second half of the tournament in order to face Botafogo in the finals of the state tournament.

Fluminense head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Saturday that he intends on using Fred in the "classic" match-up. The game will be played in the Maracana stadium in the eighth and last round of the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

"I no longer feel any pain. Tomorrow's game will serve to give me confidence and motivation entering the semifinals. Each and every player at Fluminense wants to play. For this reason, I am only retuning because I am at 100 %. However, the amount of time that I will spend on the field will depend on Parreira," said Fred.

Fred was only expected to return to Fluminense during the semifinals. However, due to his rapid recover and will play his first match against Fluminense's cross-town rivals, the striker is ready to return to the field with the hopes of lighting up the score board like he did in his previous two games with the club.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2009)