Neymar nears return as Santos face São Paulo, Coutinho could be named | OneFootball

Santos emerge from the Fifa window with a rearranged trip to São Paulo on Friday at Mourmbis, and a near-empty treatment room. Neymar is close to rejoining full training.

According to Globo.com, the No 10 has resumed ball work on grass before completing four weeks of rehab on his right thigh. He is very close to the group again and should be in contention to face Flamengo on eight October at Vila Belmiro. That would be five weeks out, shorter than the most pessimistic eight-week estimate.

Cuca has monitored Philippe Coutinho’s progress daily. Out of professional action for more than seven months, he has completed a heavy workload and is ready to be selected if the coach wishes, with a debut likely brought forward to Friday.

The break also allowed plans to reintegrate Everton Cebolinha, who missed Remo through suspension and then lost his place. After a strong league debut against Cruzeiro, he could return to the XI. He is seen as key to the Conmebol Libertadores push, but he will not face Flamengo that day under the terms of his exit agreement.

With Neymar set to leave the physio room and Willian Arão over abdominal pain, only two remain in medical care, goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, who had left-shoulder surgery during the window and will miss the season, and Vini Lira. The 18-year-old left-back has been out since March with a complete knee ligament rupture and is pencilled in for 2027 pre-season.

Santos are without Luan Peres, suspended, and Gabriel Bontempo, on Brazil duty, for the 21st-round tie, so Willian Arão is likely to drop into defence. Midfield should feature Oliva, Gustavo Henrique, Arthur and Rollheiser, with Barreal or Cebolinha competing to support Gabigol. Probable XI, Diógenes or João Pedro, Rodinei, Willian Arão, Lucas Veríssimo and Escobar, Oliva, Gustavo Henrique, Arthur and Rollheiser, Rony and Gabigol.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”