FC Barcelona News: 5 October 2011; Andres Iniesta Declared Fit, Afellay's Surgery a Success

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta set to return after international break - ESPN Soccernet
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has been given the green light to return to action after recovering from his hamstring tear, the Primera Division club confirmed on Tuesday. Iniesta has been absent since suffering the injury during Barca's Champions League draw with AC Milan on September 13.

Barca's casualty list | Sky Sports
"They said they'd expect 25 injuries of this kind in a year. I'm not a medical specialist, so I'm not shouting liar, liar, but I think the muscular build-up, the build-up to injury resistance, wasn't so good because lots of the sessions were cancelled because of the heat, they ended up working in gym sessions and not outdoors.

A welcome break - International week comes at just the right time for hamstrung Barcelona - Goal.com
Right now, however, it suits Barcelona. Barca coach Pep Guardiola has centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique available again following a recent return from injury to alleviate a defensive crisis which has seen midfielders Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano regularly play at the back this term.

Barca tell France to leave out Abidal - Soccerway
Abidal injured his hamstring in Barcelona's 1-0 La Liga win over Sporting Gijon last weekend and faces a spell on the sidelines. Nevertheless, this has not stopped France from including the 32-year-old in the squad for their upcoming fixtures, to Pruna's concern.

Defence is the best form of attack | FCBarcelona.cat
A common comment at Barça is the one that goes that "defence is the best form of attack", and in Guardiola’s book, that defending starts in the opponent’s half of the pitch. The idea behind that is that if his team does lose the ball, then there are immediately men available to win it back and build up another attack as quickly as possible.

Afellay op a success | FCBarcelona.cat
Ibrahim Afellay was operated on successfully on Monday afternoon by Doctors Ramon Cugat and Ricard Pruna who used keyhole surgery to reconstruct the player’s damaged ligament. Afellay is expected to be out for a further six months.

Nuri Sahin declared fit by Real Madrid following knee injury - report - Goal.com
Real Madrid have received some encouraging news on the injury front as midfielder Nuri Sahin has been declared fit again by the club's medical staff, AS reports. He could now be available for the upcoming Primera Division game at home against Real Betis on October 16.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema facing two-week injury lay-off - ESPN Soccernet
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of action for at least two weeks with a groin strain, Jose Mourinho has confirmed. Mourinho said Benzema will likely still be a doubt for the visit of Real Betis to the Bernabeu on October 15, with the former Lyon striker more likely to return to face his old side in the Champions League three days later.

Atletico Madrid apologise for chants about Puerta - ESPN Soccernet
Atletico Madrid have issued a public apology for the offensive chanting by a section of their fans about deceased Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta during Sunday's match against the Andalusian side at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

Negredo signs Sevilla deal | Sky Sports
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016. The Spain international's previous deal was due to expire in 2014 and the club have moved to ward off clubs interested in Negredo by offering him an improved two-year extension.

Villarreal’s Nilmar out for seven weeks following knee surgery - Goal.com
The 27-year-old underwent an operation to treat a cyst and will need almost two months to recover. The Brazil international will be forced to sit out Primera Division matches against Getafe and Real Madrid among others, and will also be sidelined for his side's Champions League Group A clashes against Manchester City on October 18 and November 2.

Joaquin Caparros given Mallorca job after Michael Laudrup exit - ESPN Soccernet
Joaquin Caparros has been unveiled as the new coach of Real Mallorca. Caparros explained he penned a nine-month deal ''because it is important that the two parties, the coaching staff and the board, know where we stand''.'

Forlín sidelined for three weeks | LFP
Espanyol defender Juan Forlín received good news on Tuesday. Although the central defender will be out for three weeks, he will not have to pass through the operating theatre as a result of the fracture he sustained in the fifth metatarsal on his right foot.