Neymar 'unlikely to recover in time to start against Real Madrid'

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar reportedly remains a major doubt for their Champions League last-16 encounter against Real Madrid next Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old has been ruled out since November with an ankle injury, but this week he has returned to training for the first time.

Last month, PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his optimism over Neymar's potential return to the matchday squad for their clash with Los Blancos at the Parc des Princes.

However, L'Equipe, via Marca, reports that the Brazil international will not take part in Friday's Ligue 1 battle with Rennes and he faces a race against time to be fit for next week's Champions League fixture.

The report adds that the likelihood of Neymar starting against Real Madrid is slim, as he has not played for PSG for nearly three months, and the best case scenario would see him begin on the substitutes' bench.

PSG will also assess the fitness of former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos (calf) as well as Georginio Wijnaldum (ankle) and Mauro Icardi (foot) who at present remain sidelined with injuries.