Inigo Martinez returns to Barcelona training sessions

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez on Thursday began training with the squad in a recovery session at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper following their 2-2 draw against Atalanta in the final Champions League group game.

Martinez ruptured the biceps femoris in his right thigh on 12 January in the Spanish Super Cup final, which Barca beat Real Madrid 5-2 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At the time, doctors predicted a four-week lay-off.

The Basque centre-back's return to group training was the positive news from the session, which took place at the Sant Joan Despí training centre after the team secured direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League as runners-up in the league phase against the Italian side.

The Blaugranas will return to training this Friday (11:00 CET) to begin preparations for Sunday's La Liga EA Sports clash against Alaves at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys.