PSG: Sergio Ramos and Neymar doubtful for Real Madrid Champions League clash
According to PSG's medical staff, Sergio Ramos is all but ruled out of the game against Real Madrid while Neymar faces a late fitness test.
Sergio Ramos’ PSG injury nightmare appears to be coming to an end. PSG’s medical staff issued a statement on Saturday to the effect that the former Real Madrid captain, who has only managed five appearances totalling 283 minutes since his move from the Bernabéu last summer, will be able to return to training with his teammates in the middle of next week. However, Ramos is expected to be limited to conditioning work and will not be able to join full training with ball work included, placing his availability against his old side in the Champions League match on 15 February in serious doubt. After Sunday’s game against Lille, PSG only have one game before the European clash, against Rennes on 11 February, to match-test those players currently recovering from injury.
Ramos finally made his PSG debut against Saint-Étienne last November before being sidelined again with a muscle injury but returned against Lorient and scored his first goal after playing the 90 against Reims just before the mini-break for the South American World Cup qualifiers. He has since suffered a muscle issue in his calf that ruled him out of the Coupe de France game against Nice last weekend. Although PSG have confirmed the injury is not serious, the concern is that it could be a recurrence of the problem that kept Ramos out of action for three months after his move to the Parc des Princes.
Pochettino: Neymar will be assessed before Real Madrid game
Neymar’s situation is similar to that of Ramos. The Brazilian is back in training but PSG’s assessment is not encouraging regarding his availability for the Real Madrid game. “"Neymar Jr. received additional therapy today, so he will remain in the gym for 48 hours before resuming his partial recovery protocol with the group,” the club stated. With just 10 days to go before the Madrid game, Neymar faces a race against time to line up against his old foes.
"Neymar’s evolution is favourable. Next week will be decisive to evaluate his progress and see what percentage chance he has to be in involved in a match as important as the Real Madrid game,” PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino said in his Lille pre-match press conference.