World Cup 2018: Neymar back in Brazil training after foot injury fears ahead of Costa Rica clash

Brazil face Costa Rica in their second game in Group E on Friday

Neymar was back in training for Brazil on Wednesday after tweaking his ankle the day before, allaying fears he could miss their second World Cup 2018 Group E clash with Costa Rica on Friday.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward winced in pain after kicking a football during a fairly tame game of Rondo in training, three days after becoming the most fouled player at the World Cup in the last 20 years after he was targeted during the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Neymar left the Rostov Arena limping but told media that there was nothing to worry about, and his appearance in training on Tuesday calmed any concerns that he had suffered yet another heartbreaking injury at a World Cup following his 2014 anguish.

But those fears quickly returned when he pulled up soon after kicking the ball, and after briefly attempting to continue training, the 26-year-old was led away by the team’s medical staff for further assessment.

However, the in a video posted on Brazil’s Twitter page, Neymar is shown taking a full part in a training match and showing no ill-effects of the foot injury picked up on Sunday.

The video was accompanied by the caption: “Neymar’s working on his training this Wednesday in Sochi! Preparation continues for the second round of the World Cup.”

Neymar’s participation is a huge boost to head coach Tite given that Neymar missed the end of the season with PSG after fracturing his metatarsal bone while playing in the Champions League in February.

The Brazilian Football Association [CFB] moved to ease any fears over a long-term injury on Tuesday by confirming he had “complained of ankle pains due to the number of fouls suffered against Switzerland”.