Brazil striker Neymar may be spared from training to give his thigh and knee injuries a chance to heal but he is expected to be fit for Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia, team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said.

The Barcelona striker was ineffective during much of Brazil’s last-16 win over Chile after he suffered early knocks on the right knee and left thigh.

However, although he left the field for treatment, he played on and scored Brazil’s final penalty in the 3-2 shootout win after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said the injuries were the reason for his unusually quiet showing and the 22-year old will be allowed to miss training if necessary.

Scolari spared most of the first team from training on Monday, preferring to have them do light gym work at the squad’s base in Teresopolis.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was the hero of the win after saving two Chilean penalties, was the only first-choice player to train.