FCBARCELONA.CAT

13.05.2010 11:23

Abidal ready to play

Jesús Carrillo

Éric Abidal is set to return to the starting line-up this weekend as FC Barcelona take on Real Valladolid in Camp Nou after Maxwell suffered an injury against Sevilla in the last outing.

The French defender was in good form early in the campaign but was sidelined with a thigh injury sustained in training in February. After a failed comeback last month Abidal is now set to play once again and coach Pep Guardiola looks ready to name him in the team for the game that could see the Blaugrana crowned as league champions.

Abidal's last appearance for Barça came in the 4-1 win against Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final in Camp Nou, but he limped out of the action after just seven minutes and had to be replaced by Maxwell.

Another setback

Club medics believed that he was then ready to appear once again against Xerez on April 24, but a groin strain curtailed that plan and he was once more left to ensure that he was fully fit before being given the green light. Maxwell's injury last weekend now means that Abidal can at last play once before the end of the current season.