Arda Turan returns to Barcelona training amid Neymar El Clasico ban

Arda Turan has given Barcelona manager Luis Enrique a much-needed boost after returning to training following the Catalans' disappointing 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday (11 April). The Turkey international is still not fully fit but his early comeback to the workouts suggests he could be ready for next week's second leg with the Italians – or at least for the La Liga trip to Real Madrid on 23 April.

The 30-year-old playmaker is yet to play a game for Barcelona since picking up an injury on international duty last month. On 28 March Barcelona made an official announcement confirming the former Atletico Madrid star was going to be out of action for around three weeks after tests revealed a groin injury.

"Medical tests conducted this Wednesday morning have confirmed that first-team player Arda Turan has an injury to the adductor muscle in his right groin. He is expected to be unavailable for about three weeks," Barcelona then confirmed.

Turan has missed the last three La Liga games as well as the 3-0 defeat to Juventus on Tuesday night.

However, it looks that the Turk could be ready to ease Barcelona's problem sas the club have revealed he was back in training on Wednesday morning as the Catalans begin preparations for the visit of Real Sociedad on Saturday 15 April.

Barcelona points out that the Turkish playmaker has not been given the medical clearance yet but the news should be a boost for Luis Enrique ahead of key games against Juventus and Real Madrid.

"FC Barcelona got straight back to work at the Ciutat Esportiva training ground on Wednesday morning in preparation for Saturday's game at home to Real Sociedad. Following the 3-0 defeat at Juventus, it's time to focus on getting the La Liga challenge back on track before worrying about how they are going to mount yet another historic comeback on the European stage," the club said. Luis Enrique had all of his available squad members with him on the Tito Vilanova field, where the chief aim was recovery after the previous night's exertions in northern Italy. Arda Turan was able to work out with his colleagues, though he has not yet been declared fully fit after picking up a groin injury on international duty for Turkey."

The return of Turan comes soon after news that Neymar will miss the coming three La Liga games against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Osasuna due to a retrospective ban.

The coming clash with Real Sociedad may come too early for the Turkey international but he could be one of the main candidates to replace the Brazilian in El Clasico if fully fit.

Meanwhile, with or without Turan, Barcelona cannot afford to drop more points against the Basque side after their hopes of regaining La Liga were dented at the weekend with an unexpected 2-0 defeat to Malaga, leaving them three points behind Real Madrid at the top table, with Los Blancos having a game in hand.