FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.02.2008 13:20

A very quick return

Jordi Clos

Carles Puyol has recovered from his knee injury after just two weeks and was given the green light to start playing again on Friday before being included in the squad to play Real Zaragoza.

The influential defender trained with normality throughout the week and the club's medical staff cleared him to play. Puyol was not scheduled to be back in action yet after picking up the known on a fortnight ago, but he has been included by coach Frank Rijkaard in the trip to Zaragoza along with Deco, who has also shaken off a knock.

Two weeks out

During Barça's Copa del Rey encounter against Villarreal in Camp Nou on January 31 Puyol picked up his injury and was forced to be substituted at half tie with a small tear in a muscle around his knee. Early predictions suggested that he would be out of action for three or four weeks and would miss between four and seven games. Instead, the club captain has made a remarkable recovery once again and has only been missing for two weeks and two league games.

Deco back too

Deco's situation has been slightly different as the midfielder sufferd a slight blow to his left ankle during Portugal's internatonal friendly last week. The playmaker was unable to appear against Sevilla for Barça, but has returned for this Saturday's game.