FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.10.2009 19:05

Everybody home

Marc Guillén / Vanessa Forns

Two days before FC Barcelona return to Liga action, Josep Guardiola had 17 first team players at his disposition to prepare for the game at Mestalla.

Almost all the FCB squad are back in town and ready for Saturday’s game after the international break meant so many players were away.

Five more back

Guardiola had five more of his men back at training today in the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper. Piqué, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Abidal were joined by Lionel Messi, who has just arrived at El Prat airport after helping Argentina into the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Messi was actually there ahead of the scheduled time of 18.00, and each of his team mates in turn congratulated him on his country’s qualification.

Henry and Ibra missing

Thierry Henry, having picked up an injury while playing for France, is out for ten days and was elsewhere, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic worked out in isolation, having fitness concerns of his own in the aftermath of his two games for Sweden this week.

Chygrynskiy, separate

Chygrynskiy still has ligament issues in his left leg, and therefore also worked out in isolation while his colleagues went through the usual routine.