Brazil await MRI scan result for World Cup star as Scotland's foes suffer another injury worry

Neymar, 34, was selected by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti in his World Cup squad, but has been unable to train since injuring his right calf. He was not part of the matchday group that defeated Egypt 2-1 on Saturday in Cleveland, their final warm-up match ahead of the finals.

Brazil are in Group C alongside Scotland, Morocco and Haiti and open their World Cup account against the Moroccans on Saturday night. Neymar’s participation remains up in the air.

“I think his situation is quite clear,” Ancelotti said in his Egypt pre-match press conference. “He's doing a great job on his own. After the weekend, he'll have an MRI scan and then, if everything goes well, he can train with the squad next week.”

Neymar is battling with a star-studded group of Brazil forwards to play at the World Cup. They created numerous chances in their friendlies against the Egyptians, but required a goal from 19-year-old wide-man Endrick to get the job done.

Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes had fired Brazil into a seventh-minute lead but a short back-pass from defender Marquinhos allowed Egypt forward Ziko to level just four minutes afterwards.

Vinicius Junior and Igor Thiago both spurned good chances to restore Brazil’s lead before Endrick, who came on as a half-time substitute, netted with Brazil’s first meaningful attack of the second half.

There was one further injury blow for Brazil earlier in the match when Roma full-back Wesley Franca pulled up after 17 minutes with a muscle strain and was replaced by Danilo.

Franca, 22, has been capped just eight times by the Selecao, but was in line to be their first-choice right-back. Brazilian medical staff are currently assessing his condition.

“It’s a shame to lose Wesley,” said Ancelotti after the match. “We have to wait for the tests now. Eventually, we have good players to replace him.”

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