03.01.2011 12:29

Messi back in training

Edgar Fornós/Aida Soriano

Leo Messi was back in training with the rest of the players this morning after Guardiola had given him an extended Christmas break, as the squad began preparations for Wednesday’s game in Bilbao.

Following Sunday’s win over Llevant , the squad were back at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan this morning ahead of Wednesday night’s Spanish Cup last sixteen second leg game at San Mames. The cold temperatures in the city meant that the players wrapped up well and were soon warming up to fight the chilly weather.

Messi

After Guardiola had granted Messi a few more days holidays over the Christmas break, the Argentinean was back with the rest of the squad after arriving in Barcelona on Sunday.

Puyol

Fifteen first team squad players, plus five from the B team, Thiago Alcántara, Víctor Vázquez and Marc Bartra –who were in the squad for the Llevant game – and Oier and Carles Planas, were in the session this morning, with Carles Puyol exercising apart from the rest with trainer Juanjo Brau, working on strengthening his legs as part of the recovery programme from the injury he picked up last week.

Mascherano

Four players who figured on Sunday - Valdés, Xavi, Busquets and Maxwell, who felt a twinge in his right thigh, worked out in the gym, whilst Mascherano had a temperature of 39 degrees and after being given antibiotics was sent back home to rest.