Football news - Neymar ruled out for 10 weeks with foot fracture; Brazil star misses United matches
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ByEurosport
Updated 30/01/2019 at 12:03 GMT
Neymar has been ruled out for 10 weeks after suffering a metatarsal fracture of his right foot in the 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg.
Neymar is tackled by Strasbourg's Tunisian midfielder Moataz Zemzemi during the French Cup round of 32 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Strasbourg (RCS) at the Parc des Princes stadium.
Image credit: Eurosport
The Brazil captain will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain's matches with Manchester United in the Champions League last 16 on February 12 and March 6 because of his latest foot injury.
Depending on his recovery, the 26-year-old could be back in contention for a prospective Champions League quarter-final with the first leg on April 9/10 and the second leg a week later.
PSG released a statement confirming the injury, but have indicated the £198m former Barcelona striker will not undergo surgery.
"On Tuesday evening Paris Saint-Germain gathered together a group of world-renowned medical experts at the Ooredoo Training Centre to carry out a thorough review of the injury to Neymar Jr.’s right foot, sustained against RC Strasbourg in the Coupe de France round of 16 match on 23 January," said PSG.
After detailed analysis by the specialists, a consensus was reached of a conservative treatment of Neymar Jr.’s injury to the fifth right metatarsal. Informed of this recommendation, Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian international striker agreed with this protocol. As a result, Neymar Jr. is expected to return to the field within ten weeks.
"Paris Saint-Germain sends its strongest support and encouragement to Neymar Jr. to overcome this injury, with the courage and determination that the player has always shown.
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Neymar hobbles out of the action.
Image credit: Getty Images
Neymar damaged his right foot last season as he was forced to battle back to be fit for Brazil's World Cup campaign in Russia.
According to Le Parisien, x-rays shown a fracture line on the fifth metatarsal which the Brazil forward had an operation on last year. It had been suggested the player may need surgery with Brazil keen to see the forward return to fitness in time for Copa America in Brazil this summer.
Unbeaten PSG have two matches in hand on second-placed Lille at the top of Ligue 1, who they lead by 13 points.
Brazil coach Tite said he will take no risks with Neymar, who missed the last three months of last season before returning for the World Cup finals were Brazil lost to Belgium in the last eight.
“Neymar’s health is not going to be put on the line,” said Tite.
“I might lose my job but I’m not going to bear the responsibility of calling him up when he is injured. His injury also saddens me but I don’t want to create expectations of improvement."
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