Injured Neymar not travelling with Brazil squad for Haiti match

HOUSTON:

Brazil forward Neymar will not travel with the squad for their second World Cup group game against Haiti in Philadelphia on ‌Friday as he continues to recover from a calf injury, the Brazilian football association said.

"He will remain in New Jersey to make the most of the final stage of his recovery, making use of ⁠the excellent facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training centre," they said in a statement on Thursday.

The 34-year-old was seen doing drills with the squad after warming up separately in boots and with the ball in a training session on Wednesday.

He had been limited to indoor work at the team's training ‌centre ⁠with physiotherapists and fitness coaches, with Brazil being cautious about his return to action.

Neymar injured his right calf during Santos' 3-0 defeat by Coritiba last month, the latest ⁠in a long run of injuries and physical setbacks for the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward, who has ⁠not played for Brazil in almost three years.

Brazil have one point after opening their World Cup ⁠campaign with a draw against Morocco while Haiti are bottom of the group after losing to Scotland.