Barca's Casado returns to team training after over one month

Barca have been in desperate need of positive news amid their recent injury woes. The Catalan giants, already without Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski due to injuries, have added Jules Kounde's name to their list of absentees after his blow against Inter on Wednesday.

While the French full-back is set to be ruled out for approximately three weeks' worth of action with a distal injury to the biceps femoris in his left thigh, Hansi Flick's side were boosted elsewhere, as they welcomed Marc Casado back in training in Friday's training session with the team.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been missing for over a month after tearing the external ligament in his knee in the 2-4 win over Atletico Madrid ahead of the March international break, as he returns ahead of Barcelona's visit to Real Valladolid on Saturday night in La Liga.

Although he has recovered slightly ahead of schedule, Casado is unlikely to make his full return against the relegated Spanish side. He could be given a few minutes at Municipal Jose Zorrilla, with the aim being to crucially have him back in the 'Clasico' against Real Madrid on May 11.