Barcelona boost as Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu return to training ahead of Malaga and Celtic

Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu have provided Barcelona manager Luis Enrique with a double injury boost after returning to training on Wednesday morning (16 November). The positive news came just 24 hours after Jordi Alba made his long-awaited comeback, as the La Liga giants continue preparations to host Malaga on Saturday (19 November) before their Champions League trip to Celtic on Wednesday night.

Pique was ruled out for around three weeks after suffering an ankle injury during the 4-0 victory over Manchester City on 19 October, being forced off early in the first half following a tackle from David Silva.

Mathieu joined him on the treatment table just days later, sustaining a calf injury during Barcelona's 1-0 defeat to Espanyol in the Catalan Super Cup on 25 October.

But the duo, along with Alba, have taken advantage of the international break to step up their recoveries ahead of a busy week that sees Barcelona hosting Malaga before their Champions League visit to Glasgow.

Barcelona are yet to give medical clearance to any of the three defenders but all are expected to be available for the coming week after appearing in a video released by the club during Wednesday's workout.

Aleix Vidal also returned to training sessions last week, leaving Andres Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti as the only two fitness concerns. The club captainis yet to play since the victory over Valencia on 22 October due to a knee injury, while the Frenchman picked up a muscle problem on international duty last week.