The first team returned to training this Tuesday afternoon. The major news from the session was the medical clearance for Gerard Piqué and Isaac Cuenca, who were able to train normally. Alexis Sánchez, for his part, has started working on the pitch. The Chilean missed Saturday’s derbi with bruising to his left thigh.

Seydou Keita, with pain in his left calf, did specific work. Another absentee was Carles Puyol, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury picked up during the match with Espanyol. He joins the other recovering members of the first team: Villa, Fontàs, and Abidal. Making up the numbers at today’s training session were reserve players Tello, Bartra, and Montoya.

Assistant coach Tito Vilanova was also missing from today’s training session with a slight fever from a virus. He’s expected back on Thursday. Meanwhile, the blaugrana squad will train again on Wednesday at 11 am in Sant Joan Despí, as the team prepares for Saturday’s visit to Real Betis.

Source: fcbarcelona.cat; Image: Miguel Ruiz (FCB)