Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez could task two of his players with man-marking Brazil playmaker Neymar when the teams clash in st Petersburg on Friday, but said his side would not try to foul the forward out of the game.

Costa Rica go into the match bottom of group e’ after losing their first game 1-nil against Serbia, while Brazil drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening match.

Neymar was sidelined for three months after sustaining a fractured right foot and sprained ankle in a French league match in late February and was fouled 10 times in the opener against Switzerland.

The 26-year-old’s last world cup ended prematurely after he took a knee in the back and fractured a vertebra in the quarter-final with Colombia at the tournament in Brazil.

The 53-year-old announced his starting lineup at his Pre-match news conference, revealing he would make one change to the side that were beaten by Serbia, with Bryan Oviedo coming in at left back in place of Francisco Calvo.

Ramirez also called for Costa Rica’s fans to keep faith with the team, saying that reaching the quarterfinals in Brazil four years ago had raised expectations to such an extent that pressure was being piled on his players.

Reports have emerged of splits in the dressing room and a falling out between players but Ramirez said his team were all pulling in the same direction.