Champions League boost for Barcelona after Lionel Messi returns to training ahead of Celtic game

Lionel Messi has given Barcelona manager Luis Enrique a major boost ahead of the Champions League trip to Celtic, returning to training following his absence in the the weekend draw with Malaga due to illness. Luis Suarez also featured in the first workout of the week after the former Liverpool star served his one-game ban suspension on Saturday (19 November).

Following the disappointing draw with the Andalucians, Barcelona face another crucial week, visiting Celtic on Wednesday before a Sunday trip to Real Sociedad, where they have failed to win since 2007.

Messi was expected to lead Luis Enrique's attack alongside Neymar and Paco Alcacer against Malaga after being named in the original 18-man squad. But Barcelona issued a last-minute statement claiming the Argentine was ill, replacing him with youngster Carles Aleña.

"Leo Messi has been ruled out of Saturday's game versus Málaga at the last minute. The striker was not feeling well and had vomited, making him unavailable for the match. Messi will be replaced in Saturday's squad list by Carles Aleñá," Barcelona confirmed just hours before the game.

Messi and Suarez were both clearly missed by their teammates, who were held to a goalless draw despite Juande Ramos' side finishing the game with nine men. The result was another blow to Barcelona's hopes of regaining the league title, as they now sit four points behind Real Madrid following Los Blancos' impressive 3-0 victory over cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid.

However, it looks like Messi will be available for the Celtic game, after Barcelona's official Twitter account showed him in the Monday training session with the rest of his teammates.

Jeremy Mathieu may also return from injury on Wednesday as he was also the workout. However, the game with Brendan Rodgers' side will come too early for both Andres Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti.