Barcelona centre back Carles Puyol returned to training with his teammates on Friday as the inspirational club captain continues his recovery from knee surgery.
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Puyol had an operation to remove a cyst from his right knee in June, the latest in a string of injuries, including two operations on the same knee, a fractured cheekbone and a dislocated elbow.
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He missed Spain's triumph at Euro 2012 and was left out of their squad for the Confederations Cup in Brazil and made only 13 appearances for Barca in La Liga and four in the Champions League last season.
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The imminent return of the shaggy-haired 35-year- old to competitive action will help ease pressure on the Barca defence after their failed bid to sign another central defender in the close season.
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"We are at the end of Puyol's period of recuperation," coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference on Friday.
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"The team is getting its captain back and we have the centre back we wanted."