Neymar Jr. is back in training and his return to action is “on schedule”, according to Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino.
“He is following the protocol from the performance and medical departments. Today (Friday) he was out training individually. He is in a good frame of mind and we are happy. Everything is under control in terms of timing. He is on schedule,” said Pochettino in a virtual press conference ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 Uber Eats trip to Dijon FCO.
Neymar has not played since coming off with a groin injury in PSG’s Coupe de France win at SM Caen on February 10. The Brazilian was expected to miss four weeks, making him still a doubt for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona, set for March 10.
PSG need the points against bottom club Dijon as they go into the game at the Stade Gaston-Gérard in third place, four points adrift of leaders LOSC. Beaten by AS Monaco last time out, the capital club are without a host of players in Burgundy, with Leandro Paredes suspended while Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Verratti are injured and Mauro Icardi is ill. Juan Bernat and Angel Di Maria are also still on the sidelines. Rafinha has been tipped to come into the line-up.
“We are trying to find the best way of setting up the team. Could Rafinha start? That is one of the options we are looking at,” said Pochettino. “The team lacked freshness and creativity in the final third against Monaco, who defended well. We had been very good in that department against Barcelona, but we will find the solutions this time.”
