Zidane hopes Neymar is fit for PSG in 2nd-leg bout

Many a manager might privately celebrate the absence of an opposition's star player, but Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane admitted he hopes to see injured Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar take the field when the two meet March 6 in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Neymar rolled his ankle Sunday during a league encounter with Marseille, which forced him off by stretcher and reduced him to tears. It likely rules him out for PSG's next match - once more against Marseille - and makes him an injury doubt for a crucial bout with Real Madrid, too.

While PSG head coach Unai Emery is "optimistic" that the 26-year-old will recover in time to host the Spanish giant at the Parc des Princes, Zidane lamented the possibility of playing the match without the Brazilian superstar.

"I don't like to see players get injured and I hope he can be back for the game," Zidane said, per Reuters. "I never want a player to miss a game due to injury.

Zidane added: "I don't think it will have a big influence on the game, as there will always be someone who can play instead of him. I was watching the game and I was sad when he got injured."

Real Madrid heads to Paris for the second leg with a 3-1 aggregate lead, having dispatched PSG in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu by way of a late surge from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo.

Neymar shared a photo of his ankle on Instagram, with his right leg heavily bandaged. Having scored 16 of his 25 Ligue 1 and Champions League goals with his right foot, this particular injury may prove even more cumbersome for the Brazilian.