Friday, 6th December, 2013
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino is hopeful of being able to call upon Lionel Messi once again in January.
Messi is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and has been tentatively pencilled in for an early January return, which cannot come soon enough for Barcelona, who have lost their last two games.
And Martino is hoping to be able to kick off 2014 by being able to field the little Argentine wizard.
"Hopefully he will be ready to return to the pitch in January", Martino explained at a press conference.
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"But as we get closer to that date we will have a better idea of whether this is possible", he added.
Messi has been resting up in his native Argentina of late.
And Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has struck a positive note on the forward's recovery.
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