Arda Turan returns to Barcelona training ahead of Sevilla trip but Gerard Pique sidelined

Barcelona star Arda Turan has calmed fears of his availability for the trip to Sevilla on Sunday (6 November) by appearing at Friday's training session with the rest of his teammates. However, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba, Jeremy Mathieu and Aleix Vidal missed the workout and are expected to remain on the sidelines for the crucial visit to La Liga's fourth-placed team.

Turan has been struggling with different fitness issues in recent weeks. The Turkish international missed the victory over Valencia before returning in the Catalan Super Cup against Espanyol. However, another ankle injury setback forced Barcelona manager Luis Enrique to rule him out for last weekend's win over Granada.

The former Atletico Madrid star recovered in time to play some minutes during Tuesday's defeat to Manchester City but on Thursday caused concern once again after it emerged he had missed the training session.

Barcelona failed to give any update on his fitness but the 29-year-old playmaker did not appear in any of the 35 pictures provided by the club during the workout.

Mundo Deportivo later clarified the issue, reporting that the Barcelona midfielder had eventually started the session but was forced off after picking a knock in his foot.

But it looks like his omission from the training session was only a precaution as the Turkish appeared back in action in the video released by Barcelona during the Friday workout.

However, it looks like the trip to Sevilla will still come too early for Pique, Jordi Alba, Iniesta, Mathieu and Vidal.

The absence of the last four had been anticipated but Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this week that Pique still had a slim chance of making a comeback to help his side in the crucial game. The player was reportedly likely to force his return because Barcelona cannot afford to drop more points as they are second in the table, two points behind Real Madrid and only one ahead of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

However, Pique failed to train on Friday and it seemed very unlikely he will be fit for Sunday's encounter. Furthermore, Spain's national team manager Julen Lopetegui has also left him, Alba and Iniesta out of his squad for the forthcoming matches with Macedonia and England in another indication confirming his lack of fitness. The first two are expected to take advantage of the international break to return for Barcelona's tie against Malaga on 19 November.