Thomas Vermaelen begins light training with Barcelona

Earlier today, Thomas Vermaelen took part in a light training session with the members of Barcelona’s squad who are not on international duty.

Vermaelen signed from Arsenal for a reported £15 million last summer, but was almost immediately sidelined with a serious injury problem.

The defender is hoping to make his Barcelona debut before the end of the season and began the process of increasing his fitness levels after nearly four months from having surgery on his damaged hamstring.

The Belgian took part in a small training session on Wednesday and will continue workouts until Saturday, when manager Luis Enrique will give the remaining Barcelona players some time off ahead of the return of their international teammates.

No time table has been set on Vermaelen’s return to first-team action.

Dani Alves also trained today, with the right-back working on his own as he recovered from a slight knock he received during Barcelona 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.