Injured Neymar to miss Brazil’s trip for Haiti match

PHILADELPHIA: Neymar will not travel with Brazil for Friday’s World Cup group match against Haiti as the forward continues his recovery from a calf injury, the Brazilian football association said on Thursday.

The association said the 34-year-old would stay behind in New Jersey rather than join the squad for the game in Philadelphia. In a statement, it 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".

Neymar took part in drills with the squad on Wednesday after warming up separately in boots and with the ball. Before that, he had been restricted to indoor work at Brazil’s training base alongside physiotherapists and fitness coaches, with the team taking a cautious approach to his return.

The Brazil forward injured his right calf last month during Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba. It is the latest setback in a lengthy spell of fitness problems for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player, who has not appeared for Brazil in nearly three years. Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a draw against Morocco and have one point, while Haiti are bottom of the group after losing to Scotland.