Neymar recovering better than expected for WC

Sports Desk: Neymar's recovery from a foot injury has been "better than expected" ahead of the World Cup, according to Brazil's medical staff.

Neymar was back in training with the national team on Tuesday after being sidelined since late February with a broken bone in his right foot whilst playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

He underwent surgery in Brazil on March 3 and on Wednesday took part in Brazil's first fitness training in Teresopolis, outside Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil's fitness coach Fabio Mahseredjian said: "We don't know how far a top athlete like him can go, but I can say his development has been above what we expected.

"We have started working one month before our World Cup opener, and until the end of the group stage there is more than a month.

"I believe that training with the squad, being monitored like he is now, with daily follow-ups, Neymar is very well taken care of. ... It will be important [to see Neymar] when he plays 11 against 11 on a reduced pitch.

"We will try to speed up his adaptation so he picks up his game pace."

Meanwhile, Douglas Costa is recovering from a minor right thigh injury but Brazil medical staff said the winger will be fit in time for the World Cup.

Costa picked up the injury during Juventus' 2-1 win against Verona last weekend and is not expected to start training with his team-mates until the end of the week.

Eleven players took part in Brazil's fitness training, including Neymar, Costa and right-back Fagner, who is also returning from injury.

Brazil will stay in Teresopolis until Saturday, before moving camp to north London on June 8 where Marcelo, Casemiro and Roberto Firmino will join the squad after the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Source: skysports

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