Neymar offered Brazil a flicker of World Cup encouragement on Tuesday when he trained ​on the pitch with the national team in ‌the United States for the first time, though a return against Haiti on Friday looks unlikely.

The session was closed to the media, but the ​Brazilian FA (CBF) said the 34-year-old striker did physical ​work on the pitch and had some contact with ⁠the ball.

Neymar has not yet joined tactical drills with ​the rest of the squad and it remains unclear when ​he will be fit enough to resume full training or become available in Brazil’s World Cup campaign, which got off on the wrong foot ​following a draw against Morocco.

The outing marked the first ​step in his transition from the medical department back to the field ‌after ⁠he had previously trained indoors at the team’s training centre in New Jersey with physiotherapists and fitness coaches.

Neymar is still working to recover fitness and match sharpness after injuring his ​right calf ​during Brazilian club ⁠Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba last month.

The calf problem is the latest in a string of ​injuries and physical setbacks for Brazil’s number ​10, who ⁠has not played a minute for the national team in almost three years.

While his appearance on the pitch raised hopes ⁠among ​Brazilian supporters, sources close to the ​national team said the coaching staff were being careful and had no intention ​of rushing his recovery.