01.01.2011 13:05

First training of 2011

Edgar Fornós / Vanessa Forns

Barça have started the new year with a training session as they prepare for Sunday’s league meeting with Levante. The injured Puyol took to the field for a series of recovery exercises.

Josep Guardiola grouped his players for training at 12.00 at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper behind closed doors for the second to last session before the game at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Same players

Like on Friday, there were 18 first team players involved plus the same trio from Barça B – Víctor Vázquez, Thiago Alcántara and Marc Bartra. The only player missing was Leo Messi, who has been given special permission to return later.

Puyol on the pitch

The only injured player at the moment, Carles Puyol, is still recovering from the groin strain picked up in the Catalonia international against Honduras last Tuesday. For the first time since the injury, he trained at Ciutat Esportiva although in isolation in the company of a fitness coach.

Josep Guardiola has four players unavailable for Sunday’s fixture: Afellay, Messi, Puyol and the suspended Piqué.