Brazil head coach Tite has confirmed that star attacker Neymar is available to play in their World Cup 2022 last-16 clash against South Korea on Monday.
The 30-year-old missed the Selecao's final two Group G matches against Switzerland and Cameroon after suffering an ankle injury in their opening win against Serbia.
There were initial fears that Neymar could miss the rest of the tournament in Qatar after scans revealed that the Paris Saint-Germain star has sustained ankle ligament damage.
However, on Saturday, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar provided a positive update about the attacker and left-back Alex Sandro – who missed the Cameroon clash with a hip problem – while Danilo is also recovering well from an ankle injury.
"Regarding Neymar and Alex Sandro, we think we have time on our hands and there is a possibility," Lasmar told reporters.
"Let's wait what their transition will be – they have still not started to train with the ball and it's something they will do tomorrow. It will be important to see how they respond to this new style, so depending on that, we will make a call."
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Neymar, who has also been suffering with a fever, and Danilo have since taken part in first-team training, and both Selecao stars are set to feature against South Korea at Stadium 974.
Tite was joined by captain Thiago Silva at a pre-match press conference on Sunday, and when the defender was asked if teammate Neymar would be fit to play, he looked at his manager who simply replied: "Yes!"
Despite Tite's optimism, the 61-year-old boss later stated that the attacker's condition will be assessed further and he will play on Monday if he comes through training unscathed.
"Regarding Neymar, he's going to train this afternoon and if he is OK, he will play tomorrow," Tite added.
"I don't share any information that is not true. My answer is he will practice this afternoon, if everything goes well, he will play."
Neymar, who struggled with injuries at the previous two World Cup, is just two goals behind Brazil icon Pele (77) in the country's all-time scoring charts, while Danilo is just three appearances away from reaching the 50-cap mark for the South American giants.
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Meanwhile, Alex Sandro is yet to return to training and remains doubtful for Monday's game, while Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles have been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with knee injuries.
Thiago Silva has revealed that is was a "painful moment" to learn of Jesus and Telles's injuries, but he is pleased to see Neymar, Danilo and Alex Sandro progressing well from their respective problems.
"We are very clear. Yesterday, before training, I confess that it was a very painful moment to see the boys in that situation of not being able to be on the field with us again," Silva told reporters.
"The sadness is there, but at the same time our road continues, also for them. It's the way we can comfort their hearts by playing our part.
"I hope they recover as soon as possible. Those who are coming back, we hope to count. It's good to see Danilo doing well, [Neymar] on the field, Alex evolving, they will add a lot."
Brazil, who are regarded as favourites by many to go all the way in Qatar and win a record-extending sixth World Cup, will face either Japan or Croatia in the quarter-finals if they beat South Korea in the last 16.
Oliver Thomas
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