Santos coach Cuca uncertain over Neymar's availability for Palmeiras clash

Santos head coach Cuca has confirmed that he has not yet decided whether Neymar will feature in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil quarter-final against Palmeiras. The match is set to be played on a synthetic surface, a factor that has cast significant doubt over the forward's participation.

The 34-year-old has long been a vocal critic of artificial pitches, consistently avoiding them to manage recurring ankle issues. Following a win in the Copa Sudamericana against Macara, Neymar remained non-committal when asked if he would play at the venue, expressing his known reluctance towards such surfaces.

I don't have an answer to that yet, but tomorrow when we report back, we'll see how the whole squad is doing. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and with the entire squad so we can decide what to do. The match against Palmeiras is going to be very tough; they are a very good side, and it's impossible to deny they are the favourites. Cuca

Santos faces a demanding schedule, with the upcoming cup trip followed by a crucial league derby against Corinthians on August 30 and the return leg at home shortly after. Cuca intends to hold internal discussions with his squad to weigh the risks before finalizing his plans for Wednesday's fixture.