Brazil's Neymar fit to face South Korea, says coach Tite
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Brazil's Neymar fit to face South Korea, says coach Tite
AL RAYYAN (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is set to play for the five-times champions in their World Cup last-16 match against South Korea on Mondayafter recovering from an ankle injury, coach Tite said.
Neymar suffered the injury in Brazil s opening 2-0 win over Serbia, which ruled him out of their 1-0 win over Switzerland and the shock defeat by Cameroon, one of a series of injury problems within the squad.
Full back Danilo was also cleared by the medical staff for the game against South Korea.
"Neymar will train today in the afternoon and if he trains well he will play," Tite told a news conference.
Neymar has suffered many issues with his right foot and underwent surgery four years ago for a fractured metatarsal.
The news of his return to the starting lineup came after Thiago Silva was asked during a news conference if Neymar would play and Tite took hold of the microphone and said "yes".
It will be warmly welcomed in a squad beset by fitness woes with Danilo also hurting his ankle against Serbia and Alex Sandro suffering a hip injury against the Swiss.
Alex Telles and forward Gabriel Jesus, who sustained a knee injury against Cameroon, were ruled out for the rest of the tournament on Saturday.
Tite said Danilo was also fit to return against South Korea on Monday but Sandro was out.
"He still can t play. Still recovering. Danilo and Neymar are back," he said.
