Zizou hopes Neymar will recover to take on Real

REAL Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is hoping Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar recovers from injury for the return leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on March 6.

The world’s most expensive player was seen crying as he was carried off towards the end of PSG’s 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, meaning his side had to play the remainder of the game with 10 men as it had used all three substitutes.

PSG coach Unai Emery said he wanted to be optimistic that his 222-million euro (US$273 million) signing would be available to face Real as the French league leader bids to overcome a 1-3 first-leg deficit.

“I don’t like to see players get injured and I hope he can be back for the game, I never want a player to miss a game due to injury,” Zidane told a news conference ahead of his side’s Liga game against Espanyol today.

“I don’t think it (the injury) will have a big influence on the game, as there will always be someone who can play instead of him. I was watching the game and I was sad when he (Neymar) got injured.”

Neymar posted a picture of his heavily bandaged ankle on Instagram yesterday but did not comment on the extend of the injury. The Brazilian has scored 28 times and provided 16 assists for PSG this season, although he gave a disappointing display against Real at the Bernabeu two weeks ago.