Barcelona have received an injury boost as summer signing Thomas Vermaelen is to begin training with the team in April, according to Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo.
Vermaelen arrived at the Camp Nou at the start of the current season from English Premier League outfit Arsenal, but a recurring leg injury has meant that the Belgian is yet to make an appearance for the Barcelona first team.
The summer arrival of Jeremy Mathieu and improved performances from Barcelona’s youth academy graduate Marc Bartra have meant that Luis Enrique’s side have not suffered in the absence of the Belgium international.
The Catalan outfit have enjoyed stellar form since the turn of the year as they stay a mere two points behind Real Madrid in the race for La Liga and prepare to face Villarreal in the second leg of their Spanish Cup semi-final tie at the Madrigal tonight.
Vermaelen has started running for the first time following his surgery last year and will soon start training on the field, although his training with the first team is expected to begin only in April.
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The 29-year-old’s recuperation is being supervised by Barcelona physiotherapist Xavi Linde.
If all goes well, Vermaelen is expected to make his first team debut next season.
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