Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has revealed that he hopes to return to training on May 17, giving him a month to regain fitness ahead of the World Cup finals.
The world's most expensive footballer has not featured for club or country since undergoing surgery on a broken metatarsal bone in late February.
Neymar concedes that his club season is now over, with a maximum of six games left for PSG to play, but he intends to be fully fit by the time Brazil take on Switzerland in their World Cup opener on June 17.
"I hope to get there in great shape," he told reporters at a press conference in his homeland. "I get my final examination on 17 May and then I'll be free to play. I had an examination last week, it is all perfect, evolving well, so I hope that continues so I can get back as soon as possible.
"I am having treatment every day, and from the moment I start training I am going to work harder than I ever worked because this is a dream that's coming up. It's a World Cup. I've waited four years for this chance, it's close."
Neymar had managed a combined 41 goals and assists in 27 Ligue 1 and Champions League outings prior to his season-ending layoff.
Daniel Lewis
