Neymar back, Mbappé a doubt as Real Madrid await PSG visit
The Brazilian will warm up for the big Champions League clash next week with some minutes against Lille, but his teammate may struggle to make it.
Ahead of the huge Champions League clash in Madrid, Neymar is ready to get some time under his belt for Paris Saint-Germain while Kylian Mbappé is a major doubt. Saturday's Ligue 1 game against Lille will act as a warm-up for the Brazilian.
Neymar back ahead of Madrid clash
The Brazil superstar has not featured for his club since sustaining a hamstring injury during the October international break, continuing a tale of fitness woe that has stained his time at the Parc des Princes.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference, head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed Neymar would be available for a mouth-watering week of fixtures, with trips to Real Madrid and Monaco coming after Lille's visit to the French capital.
"Neymar feels good," Tuchel said. "He has trained well and will be in the group for tomorrow's match, but he will not be able to play 90 minutes.
"He will bring us quality and decisive things. When he is with us, we are super dangerous. That is necessary if we want to continue to win
"Lille, Real Madrid and Monaco represent three challenging games for us."
Tuchel responds to Neymar travels
Neymar's rehabilitation took in a trip to watch the Davis Cup in Madrid this week, something which neither delighted nor angered his boss.
"What can I do? I'm not his father, nor the police. I am just his coach," Tuchel added.
"He trained well. Did I enjoy his trip to Madrid? No. But he was very professional during those two weeks.
"He did more than others, working with the group and also individually. If all goes well, he can play [against Lille]. Tomorrow we will decide".
Shortly after Tuchel had spoken, the Brazilian posted a tweet on his official account with a photo of him laughing and the message: "In every life we have some trouble. But when you worry, you make it double. Don't worry, be happy 😁"
Few doubt that the timing wasn't a coincidence.
Mbappé a doubt for Lille
Mbappe has often stepped up in Neymar's absence, but the France forward has been laid low by illness having already suffered hamstring, thigh and groin setbacks this term.
"He had a fever, he has to start training today, we have to wait," said Tuchel, who will be without midfield duo Marco Verratti (knee) and Ander Herrera (thigh).