FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.02.2010 13:14

Puyol trains separately as youngsters join squad

Anna Segura

Despite travelling with the rest of the squad to Reus, captain Puyol did not join them for the training session, sticking to his personal recovery plan and working out apart from the rest of the group with a trainer. Youngsters Bartra and Fontás.

Puyol is recovering from a slight muscle strain and trained apart from the rest of the squad, doing a series of jogs alongside the side of the pitch – a real treat for the fans who could see him close up and never stopped cheering him .

Two youngsters called up

For the session in Reus, Josep Guardiola called up youngsters Bartra and Fontàs, who are both central defenders, no doubt with an eye to Sunday’s game in Madrid where he will be without the suspended Piqué and Marquez as well as the injured Alves and Touré. There were more headaches for the boss as Abidal suffered a thigh strain in training and left early.

Ball work

The players did plenty of ball work, with Juan Carlos Unzué working with the keepers and the rest of the players involved in a mini possession game in two groups. The Reus fans were then treated to a practice game, before the players gave their supporters a round of applause and left the field.