Barcelona unclear on Neymar return date after confirming groin tear

Barcelona have refused to speculate on when Neymar will return to action after confirming that he suffered a groin tear in training this week.

The injury has made the Brazil captain a doubt for the start of Barcelona's World Club Cup campaign in Japan next week.

"Tests conducted this morning by FC Barcelona medical staff confirmed that Neymar Jr has a small tear in the abductor muscle of his left leg," the club said.

"The evolution of the tear will determine his availability for the next matches," added the statement without giving further details.

Neymar pulled up in training on Tuesday and missed Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in Barcelona's final Champions League group game.

Despite the lack of information given by the club, Neymar's father has shed some light on the injury.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, he said: "It's an injury like any other. But it's a grade 2 injury, which will take Neymar away for, at least, a week.

"It was publicly known that it would have a rotation of players, especially on this match where Barcelona would not need to have its entire roster available. We will take this week out to treat him.

"I believe that, not for the first game of the Club World Cup, but for the last match [in Yokohama on December 20], the final, Neymar will be available."

Barcelona travel to Japan for the World Club Cup after playing Deportivo La Coruna this weekend. Their first game is in the semi-final on Thursday.

Watch 'as live' coverage of Barcelona's La Liga clash at home to Deportivo La Coruna from 5.15pm on Saturday, on Sky Sports 2 HD.

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