Neymar return for Brazil against South Korea a 'possibility', says team doctor

Forward missed the last two group games after picking up an ankle injury in the opening win over Serbia

Neymar was in attendance at Lusail Stadium to watch Brazil play Cameroon from the sidelines. Getty

Neymar could return for Brazil's World Cup last 16 match against South Korea on Monday, the team's doctor said after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Cameroon.

Neymar missed Brazil's last two games after sustaining an ankle injury in the opening 2-0 win over Serbia, and there have been major doubts over whether the Paris Saint-Germain forward would be fit before the quarter-finals, should Brazil advance. Danilo also picked up an ankle injury against Serbia.

Meanwhile, Alex Sandro suffered a hip injury in the game against Switzerland, and Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus could also join the injury list after complaining of pain after Friday's game, where Brazil manager Tite fielded a second-string side.

Providing some updates on the players' progress, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said: "Regarding Neymar and Alex Sandro, we think we have time on our hands and there is a possibility.

"Let's wait what their transition will be. They have still not started to practice with the ball and it's something they will do tomorrow. It will be important to see how they respond to this new style, so depending on that, we will make a call.

"Danilo has been evolving very positively and today he did intense work with the ball and has adapted functionally very positively. The expectation is tomorrow he will be able to train normally with all players.

"Let's observe what happens and if everything is OK, we have very high expectations that he will be available for the next match."

The team doctor added that Telles and Jesus will undergo tests on Saturday.

Cameroon v Brazil player ratings

CAMEROON RATINGS: Devis Epassy 8: A strong display from the goalkeeper who looked assertive when commanding his backline, and produced some impressive saves, with his best against Gabriel Martinelli moments before stopping a volley from Eder Militao. Getty

Collins Fai 5: Lost concentration in the 14th minute to allow Martinelli a free header at goal. A tough opening 45 minutes for the 30-year-old, who was rash with his tackling, but he did improve after the break. AFP

Christopher Wooh 8: Combined well with Tolo to make it difficult for Brazil to get any joy down Cameroon’s left flank. An excellent block stopped what looked to be a certain goal in the 84th minute. AFP

Enzo Ebosse 7: A no nonsense approach from Ebosse who was first to the ball on the majority of occasions to clear the danger. An assured display. Reuters

Nouhou Tolo 8: An early booking forced the full-back to tread carefully for the remainder of game, in a difficult battle against Brazil’s Antony. Tolo kept his cool after that point, and produced an excellent performance. EPA

Pierre Kunde 5: Booked after being beaten too easily close to the half-hour mark before conceding a free-kick in a dangerous area. PA

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa 7: Progressive with his passing and anticipated play well when Brazil tried to play through central areas. Often the man that Cameroon trusted to help transition play from midfield. Getty

Bryan Mbeumo 5: - Had one the best chances of the game for Cameroon and drew an excellent save from Ederson with a powerful header. Rarely had a chance to make an impact. EPA

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 5: Came into the game in spells but overall wasn’t productive. A lack of options at times as Cameroon looked to play on the counter-attack, but the Bayern Munich man needed to do more. Getty

Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu 6: Too frequently dispossessed, but fared better when he made the switch to the right-flank. Helped out the defence and made a number of tackles. AFP

Vincent Aboubakar 6: Cameroon struggled to get the ball to their captain, but when they finally did create a good chance for him in stoppage time, he produced an exquisite header to win the game. He was then sent off for a second yellow after taking off his shirt in the celebration. Getty

SUBS: Karl Toko Ekambi (On for Mbeumo 64') 6: Bright in possession and looked to take players on when he could. Worked hard to help get back and defend. Getty

Olivier Ntcham (On for Ntchamat 68') 6: Kept things simple in midfield, tested the goalkeeper from range with an effort but it was too central. Getty

Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (On for Ngamaleu 86') N/A. AP

BRAZIL RATINGS: Ederson 6: Had to save a first-half shot, which is more than first choice ‘keeper Alisson did in Brazil’s opening two games. And then a first shot on target after 47 minutes. Busy in the second half too. No chance for Cameroon’s brilliant goal. Reuters

Alex Telles 6: Cross flew over his head before Cameroon’s first effort on target just before half time. First player to come off – injured and shaking his head, then crying just after half-time. A sad sight. PA

Bremer 6: Another squad player given a start, the Juventus defender challenged to win a header from a corner just before the hour mark. Impressive in the air. Nowhere near the Cameroon goalscorer Aboubakar. AFP

Eder Militao 6: Shot through a crowded box almost made him an unlikely opening goalscorer just before hour mark – Brazil’s last seven World Cup goals came in the second half. Another nowhere near Cameroon’s match-winner when he scored. Booked. Getty

Dani Alves 7: The full-back, 39, has played little football and hit a weak free-kick over the wall in first half. AP

Fred 6: Super ball to Martinelli on 13 minutes and he shot over ten minutes later. Didn’t impose enough on the game to convince that he should keep his place in the side. PA

Fabinho 6: Less effective than Casemiro had been in his position as Brazil won the group on goal difference – even after losing the game. AFP

Gabriel Martinelli 8: Fine early header which was saved. Fast and his run and right foot shot after 55 minutes was the closest Brazil had come to scoring. Four shots, three on target. Dangerous. Reuters

Rodrygo 7: A threat as Brazil probed for a lead they never got. The game didn’t have the excitement of Serbia 2 Switzerland 3 in the same group, but Brazil are through and if Neymar doesn’t return, the Madrid forward will get another chance to shine. AP

Antony 7: First start in the World Cup, the third Man Utd player in the starting XI. Fouled in a yellow card challenge after beating his man in opening five minutes. Shot on target later in half. Neat touches, shot wide just before the hour. Getty

Jesus 6; Arsenal attacker was lively enough in a team that wasn’t. EPA

SUBS: Marquinhos (On for Telles 54') 6: Came on in front of the huge 85,986 crowd, the experienced defender will likely start in Brazil’s next game against South Korea. AFP

Bruno Guimaraes (On for Fred 54') 7: Impressive when he came on in the previous match and his corner caused an immediate threat. Booked for pulling a player back. A 96th minute header was well placed but weak. Made a difference, but not enough. AFP

Pedro (On for Gabriel Jesus 64') 6: Flamengo striker pushed for a winning goal, but swung a shot wide. EPA

Raphinha (On for Antony 79') N/A. EPA

"Alex Telles came off complaining of pain in his right knee after trauma. He has been assessed in the changing room and tomorrow will do a magnetic resonance image to be able to assess his condition," he said.

"Gabriel Jesus after the game complained of pain in his right knee and after clinical assessment, we have asked for an imaging exam tomorrow."

Despite losing to Cameroon, the first African team to beat Brazil at the World Cup, Tite's side finished top of Group G on goal difference on six points, ahead of Switzerland who went through after beating Serbia 3-2.

Neymar watched Brazil's win over Switzerland from his hotel room after falling sick but was in attendance at the Lusail Stadium for the game against Cameroon on Friday.

Brazil are bidding for their sixth World Cup in Qatar.