Neymar and Ivan Rakitic return to Barcelona training ahead of Deportivo la Coruna clash

Ivan Rakitic has given a boost to Barcelona manager Luis Enrique by returning to training ahead of a busy week which will see the Catalans hosting Deportivo la Coruna in La Liga before a Champions League crucial clash with Manchester City. Meanwhile, Neymar was also back at the Tuesday workout after ending his international duties with Brazil.

Rakitic was an unused substitute during the Barcelona's 4-3 defeat to Celta Vigo just before the international break.

Only a day later it emerged that the former Sevilla midfielder had been struggling with an Achilles tendon injury after he withdrew from the Croatia squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers with Kosovo and Finland.

"Ivan Rakitic did not appear in Barcelona's away league match at Celta Vigo due to an Achilles tendon injury, which will keep him out from international duty with Croatia as well, away to Kosovo (6 October) and Finland (9 October). Rakitic's recovery is expected in ten days," the Croatian national team confirmed through an official statement.

Barcelona confirmed the news later while adding that "his availability for the training sessions will depend on how the recovery process progresses".

It looks as if the midfielder is ahead of schedule as he is back in training ahead of the coming games with Deportivo la Coruna and Manchester City.

Barcelona's doctor are yet to give him clearance to return to action but the Croatian midfielder appeared in pictures provided by the club during Monday's training session and was again in the workout on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, Neymar was also back at the Barcelona training ground on Tuesday morning after ending his international duties sooner than expected. The Brazilian star led his national team to a 5-0 victory over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifiers on Thursday by scoring one goal and providing a further two. Yet, he also saw a yellow card that left him out for the following game with Venezuela and let him to return to Barcelona earlier than expected.

However, Barcelona have failed to provide any update on the rehabilitations of Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti. Some reports are saying the long-term duo absentees also made part of the Tuesday training with the rest of the players. Yet, the duo don't appear in the pictures provided by the club.