Paris: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach, Thomas Tuchel has admitted Neymar is unlikely to be fit in time for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester United next month.
“It’s going to be super difficult,” Tuchel told ‘Canal+’ when asked if Neymar would return from a metatarsal injury in time for the game at Old Trafford, February 12.
“It is still too early to talk about a return date because we need to wait and see how ‘Ney’ reacts to treatment to be more precise,” he said after PSG beat Rennes 4-1 at the Parc des Princes Stadium here Sunday.
Tuchel’s admission came after newspaper ‘Le Parisien’ claimed Sunday evening that Neymar had suffered ‘a hairline fracture of the fifth metatarsal’, exactly where the Brazilian underwent an operation after suffering a fracture in March last year.
“I can’t confirm a new diagnosis. I think the club has said everything about this injury for the moment and now we need to wait,” Tuchel added.
PSG have only said that Neymar had suffered ‘a painful reactivation of the right fifth metatarsal’ in Wednesday’s French Cup win against Strasbourg.
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar is expected to visit Neymar later in the evening Monday.
AFP