Carles Alena cleared to make Barcelona return after long injury lay-off

Barcelona confirmed on Saturday that midfielder Carles Alena has been cleared to return to action after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury in June.

The 20-year-old was originally ruled out for three-and-a-half months but seems to have recovered slightly earlier than expected.

He is expected to make his return in Barcelona B’s game against Sabadell in Segunda B on Sunday.

Alena is also part of the first-team squad and has been handed the No. 26 shirt. He will wear that number for both Barcelona B and the first team this season.

The 20-year-old will be hoping he can break into the first-team scene this season. Ernesto Valverde talked him up at the end of last season before his injury setback.