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Neymar backed to lead Brazil's World Cup bid by Selecao doctor encouraged by recovery

Rodrigo Lasmar is pleased with the progress being made by the Paris Saint-Germain forward following surgery in March to repair a broken metatarsal

Neymar’s attempts to reach full fitness in time for the 2018 World Cup are on track, according to Brazil’s team doctor.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward had his season curtailed when he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Marseille, undergoing surgery on March 3.

Last week Neymar identified May 17 as a target date to return to training, with Brazil’s Russia 2018 opener against Switzerland coming exactly a month later in Rostov.

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And Rodrigo Lasmar is happy with the progress being made by the Selecao’s prized asset.

“Neymar is working hard and we expect him to be well prepared so that he can make an excellent preparation for the World Cup,” the medic told Globo Esporte.

“He is recovering in the best possible way, as part of the established programme [for rehabilitation].

“We need to improve the physical condition [of a player coming back from injury] because it is probably low.

“Players returning from an injury must undergo an individual assessment in order to design the best strategy for them.”

Brazil have been drawn in Group E alongside Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.