Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is optimistic over Neymar's availability for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter with Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old has not taken to the field since suffering a serious ankle injury against Saint-Etienne back in November - missing 13 games for the club in all competitions since.
Neymar was not involved in Les Parisiens' 1-0 win over Rennes on Friday night, but he has made a return to full training, and Pochettino hopes to see the Brazil international back in the fold for the clash with Los Blancos.
"Neymar's development is very good. I hope he will be in the group, he's an important player for us. We will see in the next few days if he can be available for Real Madrid," Pochettino told the press after Friday's win.
"All the great players want to be there on the big occasions. Neymar has the experience and the maturity to be able to focus in this type of situation in order to give his best."
Neymar has registered three goals and three assists in 14 outings for PSG across all competitions this term, and Pochettino had to rely on a last-gasp winner from Kylian Mbappe for all three points against Rennes.
Ben Knapton
