Puyol to make Barcelona return against Zaragoza

Nov 17, 2012 1:30:00 AM

The Blaugrana captain has spent the last 45 days on the sidelines, but is now fit to play first team football once again after coming through training unscathed

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is set to make his return from injury in Saturday's clash with Zaragoza.

The Blaugrana captain has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in his side's 2-0 win over Benfica on October 2, but has handed coach Tito Vilanova a timely boost after coming through training unscathed.

"Puyol has had a few games training with the group and lacks match fitness," Vilanova told reporters at a press conference.

"However, since his elbow injury he has not stopped and that's pretty great."

The 43-year-old now has both of his first-choice centre-backs available for selection, with Gerard Pique playing all 90 minutes of his side's 4-2 victory over Mallorca on Sunday.

The Catalan club head into Saturday's contest top of La Liga on 31 points, three ahead of second placed Atletico Madrid.

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