PARIS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Brazil coach Tite said Monday he will take no risks with injured captain Neymar as he steps up preparations for this year's Copa America.
Brazil will play the Czech Republic and a yet-to-be-determined opponent in March in what will be Tite's last chance to test his players before selecting his Copa America squad.
Neymar is in doubt for the friendlies after suffering a hairline metatarsal fracture of his right foot while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in their 2-0 win over Strasbourg in the French Cup last week.
It is the same injury that forced the forward to undergo surgery last March and subsequently miss the final three months of the European season.
"Neymar's health is not going to be put on the line," Tite, whose real name is Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, told Brazilian reporters in Paris.
"I might lose my job but I'm not going to bear the responsibility of calling him up when he is injured. His injury also saddens me but I don't want to create expectations of improvement," added the 57-year-old, who is currently in Paris with his backroom staff as part of a multi-stop trip to observe Brazilian players in Europe's top leagues.
Neymar is expected to miss at least 45 days because of the injury, meaning he will be unavailable for the first leg of PSG's Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on February 12.
PSG medical staff have also not ruled out surgery, a prospect that would impact the 26-year-old's preparations for the Copa America, to be played in Brazil from June 14 to July 7.
Brazil will open their Copa America campaign against Bolivia on June 14 before also facing Venezuela and Peru in the group stage.
