Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed optimism over having Raphinha available for their last-16 match against Norway on Monday, saying the right-winger has rapidly recovered from his injury.

Raphinha suffered a Grade 1 strain on his right hamstring and had to leave the field in the first half of Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti in the group stage.

The Barcelona player could not feature in Brazil’s final group stage match against Scotland and in their intense Round of 32 tie against Japan, which they won 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Raphinha returned to training ahead of the Norway tie and Ancelotti said he is now fit enough to return on the pitch, even if for a few minutes.

“Raphinha has improved a lot. He isn’t at 100 percent yet, but he can play a few minutes and help the team,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of the Norway clash.

“He recovered very well and very quickly, we’re happy about that because Raphinha is very important to the team,” he added.

In place of Raphinha, Rayan, a 19-year-old winger from Bournemouth, has started for Brazil in the last two matches.

Rayan is likely to start against Norway as well, with Raphinha on the bench.

The Brazil camp is facing injury troubles with Paqueta already ruled out until the final. Star player Neymar is also yet to start for Brazil in a match, having only played the last 14 minutes of the Haiti match.

Ancelotti has said that Neymar is fit enough to play 90 minutes but is yet to confirm whether or not he would start against Norway.