Barcelona defender back in group training today, aiming to return vs Alaves

It has been an eventful past few days at FC Barcelona, from Alejandro Balde deciding to undergo surgery to manager Xavi Hernandez announcing his departure at the end of the season.

Amidst all this, though, the reigning La Liga champions have received some good news as far as injuries are concerned.

Inigo Martinez back in training

Injured defender Inigo Martinez is back in training with the rest of the Barcelona squad today, reports journalist Alfredo Martinez.

The 32-year-old has had a difficult time with injuries since arriving at Barça in the summer. He was out for the first month of the campaign due to a fitness issue he was carrying over from last season.

Following that he was out again for a month after sustaining a muscle injury during warm-up before the game against Atletico Madrid in early December.

Martinez returned to action in the Copa del Rey clash against UD Barbasto, but lasted just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute, as another injury meant he had to be taken off.

Martinez closing in on a return. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

But, the 33-year-old is doing part of the training session today with the rest of the Barcelona squad, which comes as a boost.

Martinez aiming to return vs Alaves

Barcelona will take on CA Osasuna in a couple of days at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic. But it appears that Martinez is unlikely to be fully fit in time for that match.

Instead, the report states that the 32-year-old Spaniard is hoping to be fit and ready in time for Barça’s trip to Vitoria at the weekend when they face Deportivo Alaves.

When fit, the defender performed quite well and with the Blaugrana struggling in defence, Martinez’s imminent return would be a welcome boost.