Adriano unable to practice with cleats due to burn

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Adriano returned to Flamengo's pre-season practice for the first time on Wednesday wearing cleats.

However, shortly after his appearance in his shoes, the striker abandoned the field workouts claiming that his persistent injury was unbearable.

Adriano's left ankle was burnt in an accident in late November of 2009. The player claims that he burnt himself on a garden lamp, however, rumors remain pertinent that the athlete burnt himself while joyriding on a friends motorcycle.

Although nearly two months have passed, Adriano's injury has not yet healed and has impeded his participation in Flamengo's pre-season training in the Sao Paulo city of Porto Feliz.

After entering the field on Wednesday wearing his cleats, it only took a matter of minutes before Adriano complained of pain. He took his cleats off and immediately left the field.

Adriano is not expected to play in Flamengo's debut against Duque de Caxias in the 2010 Rio de Janeiro state championship on January 17.