Neymar resumes recovery in Paris with eye on World Cup

Brazilian superstar forward Neymar Jr resumed rehabilitation work at Paris Saint-Germain's training facilities and could play for the Ligue 1 side in its last match of the season on May 19, less than a month before Brazil's first contest at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Images on PSG's Web site show the former FC Barcelona player, who broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during a February 25 match against Marseille, lifting weights and doing other rehab work.

"@neymarjr is back at work at the Ooredoo Training Centre," the club tweeted on Saturday.

Neymar began the session doing muscle-strengthening exercises and then worked out at a sand-covered outdoor rehab area.

Brazil's national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, performed the surgery on the Paris Saint-Germain player and then supervised the first phase of his recovery.

He has said that if Neymar was fit, he would play with PSG before season's end.

Although the May 19 game against Caen is virtually meaningless for PSG, which has already clinched the 2017-18 French-league title, the time on field in an official match could provide a boost to Neymar's World Cup preparations.

Brazil will kick off its bid for an unprecedented sixth World Cup title when it takes on Switzerland on June 17 in Group E action.

--IANS

gau/mr