Barcelona's Xavi returns to training

Started by Folami David, Mar 09, 2013, 09:48 AM

Folami David

Barcelona have been given a boost before Tuesday's Champions League showdown at home to AC Milan by the return of playmaker Xavi to training following a minor thigh muscle strain.
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The Spain international, who missed Saturday's La Liga defeat at Real Madrid, trained with the rest of the squad on Friday, Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es).
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Assistant coach Jordi Roura, who is standing in for Tito Vilanova while he undergoes cancer treatment in New York, said a late decision would be made about whether Xavi would be included in the squad for Saturday's La Liga game at home to bottom side Deportivo La Coruna.
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"He completed a full session with his teammates," Roura told a news conference on Friday.
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"We'll see tomorrow after training how he feels and whether we include him in the list," he added.
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"We will then see how things develop over the next few days to see whether he can play against Milan."
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Barca need to overturn a 2-0 deficit to Milan in their last-16 second leg at the Nou Camp if they are to keep alive their hopes of a third European crown in five years.
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Victory against Depor, meanwhile, would put them 14 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid who are at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.