Messi resumes Barcelona training

The Argentine has made his comeback since picking up a thigh strain against Almeria last month and could be in contention to play against Osasuna this weekend

Lionel Messi handed Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino a boost on Monday when he returned to training after overcoming a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old has missed his side's last two games – a 1-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League and a 4-1 success over Valladolid – as a result of the muscle strain he sustained against Almeria last month.

The 26-year-old, who has eight league goals to his name this season from six appearances, has made a swift recovery and trained for the first time on Monday, although it remains to be seen whether he will feature in Saturday's trip to Osasuna.

That game at Estadio El Sadar is followed by fixtures against AC Milan in Europe and the first Clasico of 2013-14.

Barca captain Carles Puyol also trained alongside Messi as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury that has sidelined him since March.

Like Messi, Puyol is waiting to discover what part – if any – he will play at the weekend.