Neymar edges closer to World Cup limelight after joining Brazil training

The 34-year-old forward, who is recuperating from a right calf injury, was observed undertaking exercises with the team after a separate warm-up wearing boots and handling the ball, giving Brazilian fans a hint of his improvement ahead of Friday's Group C fixture against Haiti in Philadelphia.

This represented another milestone in a measured comeback for Brazil's number 10, who on Tuesday, during a media-free training session, set foot on the field for the first time since the squad's arrival, with the Brazilian FA confirming that he performed physical exercises and had some interaction with the ball.

Whether this progresses to complete training, or even a spot on the substitutes' bench against Haiti, remains unclear since the media were only permitted entry for the initial 15 minutes of Wednesday's session.

Neymar had been restricted to indoor sessions at the squad's training base alongside physiotherapists and fitness trainers.

Sources near the national side indicated that the coaching team were exercising caution and had no plans to speed up his rehabilitation.

The calf issue was incurred during Santos' 3-0 loss to Coritiba last month and represents the most recent in a prolonged series of injuries and physical hindrances for Neymar, who has not featured for Brazil in nearly three years.

Brazil's tournament started awkwardly with a 1-1 draw against Morocco as they pursue a long-anticipated record-extending sixth World Cup crown.