Neymar 'raring to go' after knee procedure, says Santos boss Cuca

Santos boss Cuca revealed Neymar is "raring to go" after undergoing a knee procedure during the international break.

Neymar was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the March break, dampening his chances of featuring at this summer's World Cup.

Neymar is Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals and has represented the Selecao at three World Cups, including their home tournament in 2014.

Only Ronaldo Nazario (19), Pele (18) and Jairzinho (12) have directly contributed to more goals at the World Cup for Brazil than Neymar, who has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 matches.

Although Neymar does not seem to be in Ancelotti's plans for the time being, Cuca insisted the former Barcelona winger has been hard at work.

"During the break we had, he underwent a procedure on his knee, so he didn't train," Cuca said on Neymar.

"He spent four or five days recovering from that. He worked on some of the fitness targets he needed to meet.

"This week he's been working on strength, speed and endurance. He'll be raring to go for the 13 consecutive matches remaining until the [next international] break.

"So we've used this time, working with the coaching staff and the medical team, to top up his energy levels and keep going until the middle of the year."

Brazil will face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C at the World Cup.

Ahead of the tournament, they will take part in warm-up games against Panama and Egypt.