Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta passed fit for Clasico - Luis Enrique

Barcelona have confirmed that Andres Iniesta has been given the green light to return to action ahead of Saturday's important game against Real Madrid.

The club captain has been missing since Oct. 22 when he damaged knee ligaments in the win over Valencia. He returned to training ahead of schedule last week, though, and on Friday was given the all clear.

Iniesta was initially expected to be out for as many as eight weeks and a return for the Clasico looked unlikely. However, Luis Enrique revealed on Tuesday that the midfielder was closing in on full fitness and suggested he could play some part this weekend.

With the 32-year-old absent, Barca have been accused of losing control in midfield, with the defeat to Manchester City and the draws against Malaga and Real Sociedad held up as examples.

Those most recent two draws have seen them slip six points behind Real Madrid in La Liga going into Saturday's top of the table clash.

"Getting an injured player back is always good news and more so if we are talking about Andres Iniesta," Luis Enrique said at his news conference.

"One of the things that sets Barca apart is our style of play, but I consider that to be a team concept. But there are players who fit right into that profile who can add their personal touch, and that is the case with Andres."

In more good news for Barca and Luis Enrique, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are also available for the visit of Madrid. Pique took a knock in the draw with Real Sociedad last weekend and Alba was rated as a doubt earlier this week with bruising to his knee and a sprained ankle.

"Pique and Alba are available," the Barca boss confirmed. "They've trained [on Friday] and they're fit to play."

Centre-back Samuel Umtiti has also recovered from a hamstring problem and played over an hour in the midweek draw with Hercules in the Copa del Rey, leaving Jeremy Mathieu as the first team player still on the treatment table.

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