Puyol nears Barcelona comeback

The Catalans' skipper is still some distance from reaching full match fitness, but is delighted to have returned to the training pitch.

Carles Puyol has moved a step closer to making his Barcelona return after resuming training following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The experienced defender, 35, was limited to just 22 games in the 2012-13 campaign due to a string of injuries and went under the knife in June in an attempt to rid him of a persistent knee problem.

Martino lauds Neymar & Messi 'connection'

The coach says Carles Puyol's fitness worries him more than Cesc Fabregas transfer rumours while revealing he will not ask Victor Valdes to stay

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino has lauded the "connection" between Lionel Messi and Neymar following the side's 7-1 win over Thailand on Wednesday.

The Brazilian opened the scoring before the Argentine added two goals and Pedro grabbed a hat-trick, with Alexis Sanchez adding a final strike just after half-time.