Neymar cleared for over 45 minutes, could start for Santos in quarter-final | OneFootball

Globo.com reports that Neymar could start for Santos in Sunday’s Paulista quarter-final at Novorizontino, and has been cleared to play more than 45 minutes. The tie is set for 16:00 Brasília time at the Jorge Ismael de Biasi.

A starting berth will depend on a normal training week. Santos resumed work on Wednesday afternoon.

Neymar played the entire second half of the 6-0 win over Velo Clube last Sunday, a result that secured Santos a place in the knockout phase.

Even during club-approved time off, he trained at home to sharpen his fitness. Staff view his recovery as progressing without setbacks, which should translate into further minutes in the decisive clash.

He has only four matches before coach Carlo Ancelotti’s final call-up ahead of the 26-man World Cup list. The Italian will select the national team for friendlies against France and Croatia on 16 March.

Before then, Santos face Vasco on 26 February, Mirassol on 10 March and Corinthians on 15, in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Those four could stretch to seven if Santos reach the Paulistão final. The semi-final is slated for the weekend of 1 March, with the two legs of the final on 4 and 8 March.

Source: Globo.com