FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.10.2009 00:25

Xavi and Puyol back in Barcelona

David Puig

Xavi and Puyol both returned from the Spanish squad early after Saturday evening's game against Armenia. Xavi has a painful knee and Puyol picked up a yellow card that rules him out of Wednesday's game against Bosnia.

The Spanish Football Federation announced via their web page that the two Barca players would be leaving Del Bosque's squad this weekend. Xavi played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, but the federation doctors felt it was wiser to give him a break as he complained of a niggle in his right knee, which the club's medical d¡staff will treat this week. Puyol's yellow card means he is out of the picture for Spain's final group game against Bosnia on Wednesday.

Iniesta worry

The Federation also revealed that Andres Iniesta finished the game, in which he figured for just the last 23 minutes on his return to the international team after a three month absence, with a slight problem in the area of his most recent injury.