FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.01.2009 19:01

Cáceres back for first session of 2009

David Puig / Anna Segura

Martín Cáceres was the latest player to return to training for the first session of 2009. The Uruguayan was not due back until Friday, but has reported for work a day early.

On Thursday evening the Barça squad trained for the first time in 2009. All of the players required were in attendance, apart from the sick Piqué, for a session that started at 6.30 pm at La Masia.

Staggered returns

With Eto'o and Keita already back ahead of schedule, Martín Cáceres followed suit for the Thursday session. Now the only players that have yet to return are Messi, Alves and Milito, who will be back on Friday. Initially a morning session had been pencilled in for Friday, but Josep Guardiola has decided to switch it to a late start as the side continues preparations for the league fixture with Mallorca.

Piqué out

Gerard Piqué was missing with a temperature of 38.5, along with fever and a heavy cold. The first team doctors have given him a check-up but will not know until Friday whether he is likely to be well enough to play at the weekend.

Seirul•lo off for a month

The session started with the players giving fitness coach Paco Seirul•lo a hearty send-off. The member of the Barça staff will be away for about a month as he offers his services to the Spanish national handball team, who are competing at the World Cup in Croatia. Seirul•lo has been called upon to assist former FC Barcelona manager Valero Rivera, who is now in charge of the national side.