Barcelona welcomes back MSN ahead of Athletic clash

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all returned from extended breaks to complete a full session as the La Liga holders prepare for the last-16 first leg against Ernesto Valverde's side on Thursday.

Published : Jan 03, 2017 16:05 IST

Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar will feature for Barcelona in its Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Barcelona welcomed its formidable forward trio back to training on Monday ahead of its Copa del Rey clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all returned from extended breaks to complete a full session as the holders prepare for the last-16 first leg against Ernesto Valverde's side on Thursday.

Defender Javier Mascherano was also back on the Tito Vilanova training pitch as Luis Enrique's squad practised in full for the first time in 2017.

Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen was the only player to sit out the session, with the Netherlands international having been ruled out for two weeks with a calf injury. Barca takes on Athletic before they resume their LaLiga title defence against Villarreal on January 8.