February 10, 2014
Neymar returns to practice with Barcelona
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona forward Neymar has taken a big step toward returning to action, practising with the first-team yesterday.
The Brazil striker has been sidelined since badly spraining his right ankle in a Copa del Rey match at Getafe on January 16. He has missed a total of seven games.
Barcelona says Neymar is “in the final phase of his recovery” with the Catalan club travelling to Real Sociedad on Wednesday for the return leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final series, which Barcelona lead 2-0.
Neymar has scored 10 goals in 24 appearances since his summer move from Santos, which has also caused off-field distractions as a Madrid court investigates irregularities in the player’s contract.