Boost for Barcelona! Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns to training after six months out with serious knee injury as Hansi Flick's side pencil in return date

The 32-year-old has been out with a ruptured knee tendon since last September but now he is inching closer to a return. Barca have confirmed the German international was able to take part in "some of the group exercises" in a big boost for Hansi Flick's side.

A post on the club's website reads: "And there was an additional reason to smile today, because goalkeeper Ter Stegen was able to take part in some of the group exercises as he continues on the long road to recovery from an injury that has meant he has been out of action for half a year."

Ter Stegen is, arguably, among one of the best keepers in the world but Barcelona have been able to manage well enough without him as they are vying for the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey. But if he is back, they may be an even more formidable proposition to contend with. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona haven pencilled in a potential return date of the end of April for the captain to make his long-awaited comeback.

While Ter Stegen will continue to step up his recovery, October signing Wojciech Szczesny will continue to be Barca's first-choice stopper in his absence.