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Neymar has recovered surprisingly quickly to match-fitness from the back injury suffered in the World Cup, but his return to competitive football has now been set further back by a Grade 1 left ankle sprain picked up during Thursday’s training session. Barcelona’s medical team have said his recovery will depend on ‘how the injury treatment evolves’, but the Brazilian playmaker is sure to miss the season’s opening round match on Sunday against Elche.
Neymar took the field for 45 minutes of a pre-season friendly against Club Leon on Monday night, and lit up the stadium with two brilliantly executed goals – one a cheeky chip, and another a tidy backheel. He was expected to take his place in the starting 11 on Sunday. He was also due to give the pre-match press conference, as it is that there is a lot of anticipation about his return, but Xavi Hernandez will now take his place.
Barcelona Missing Players Already
With Luis Suarez(ban) and Pedro(stomach bug) still out of action, young guns Rafinha and Munir set to take on a bigger role on Sunday and hope to make their opportunities count. Rafinha is likely to play as a forward for now, but is eventually looking to make Xavi’s position at the centre of the field his own. Munir has not been selected for the Barca B game this weekend, which is a sign that it is being thought he is ready to step into the senior team.
Luis Enrique has a lot of choices at his disposal, but he will be slightly worried that he is opening the season without most of his regular frontline.
