Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has said he hopes Neymar will be back in training after next week’s Champions League second leg against Manchester United.
PSG won 2-0 in the first leg without either Neymar or Edinson Cavani, and the Brazil international is stepping up his recovery from a fractured metatarsal.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Coupe de France quarterfinal against Dijon, Tuchel said he was in frequent contact with Neymar as he continued his rehabilitation in Brazil.
“He is always doing good when he is back home in Brazil,” he said. “It is important that we get Neymar back before United for support.
“It is also important in terms of him returning stronger than ever — I hope that he will be able to train with us after the United match.”
Sources have told ESPN FC that Cavani could play in the second leg, and Tuchel said he could feature against Caen in Ligue 1 this weekend.
“Edinson will be back in training with the team this week,” he said. “He is regularly in touch with the doctor.
“He will not be ready for Dijon, but he is working hard — very professionally. I hope that he will be able to play in Caen.”
Tuchel indicated that Angel Di Maria, Thomas Meunier and Thilo Kehrer would return against Dijon after missing the weekend win over Nimes in Ligue 1.