After Lionel Messi, Deco and Edmilson's return, it's more good news for Barca as Ronaldinho is recording great progress in private training.


Ronaldinho has been out since the el clasico disaster, and has not appeared in any of Barca's last six matches since then. The Brazilian was diagnosed with a muscular strain and has been undergoing intensive treatment since then. Team physiotherapy expert, Juanjo Brau has been personally involved in Ronaldinho's recuperation and says the midfielder is making an astonishing progress. Ronaldinho has been the subject of press attacks and also sometimes by the fans, for what they saw as a deliberate loss of form by the Barca gem who has been having problems with injury since the ending of last season after an over-loaded time-table for both club and country in the 2006/07 season.

Injury continues to plague the Blaugrana as the La Liga enters a decisive stage so early in the season.


Ronaldinho and Deco will still remain out of the squad when Barca file out against Real Murcia tonight. Ronnie still needs some time to recover and so does Deco, who has already started training with the team. Both last played for FC Barcelona in the el clasico on December 23, 2007 and have not featured since then. Recently, team captain Carles Puyol and vice-captain Xavi Hernandez spoke in favour of both players as they wished they will recover soon enough.


Santi Ezquerro and Sylvinho have been drafted to replace Ronaldinho and Deco to make up the squad numbers. Oier Olazabal will also replace injured Albert Jorquera as back-up for Keeper Victor Valdes.


FC Barcelona's coach Rijkaard has named his squad for the encouter and they include:


Goalkeepers: Valdes, Oier.


Defenders: Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Thuram, Sylvinho.


Midfielders: Xavi, Marquez, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen.


Attackers: Bojan, Eto'o, Henry, Giovani, Ezquerro.


The Barca - Murcia match on January 12, kicks of at 20:00 hours at Camp Nou.

The controversy generated by his past interview now forgotten, Edmilson looks ahead to the future of Barca in his new interview.


The Brazilian generated some dust after the famous mention of the black sheep presence some months back. Now back from injury after a six-month lay off, the midfielder is in high spirits and positive that the Catalan giants will still end the year on a bright note. Read the full interview:


FC Barcelona's Jose Edmilson Returns From Injury, Grants Interview.

After confirmations on the extent of Jorquera's injury, Canizares or Ustari may arrive Camp Nou.


Having torn his knee ligament against the Basque nation after an unfortunate incident in the 13th minute of the match, FC Barcelona's No. 2 keeper Albert Jorquera will be out for as much as six months. leaving No. 1 man Victor Valeds without any support, and the entire Barca squad vulnerable to an open goal post if Valdes is missing. This has prompted suggestions of a loan arrangement with either Valencia or Getafe, in which either keeper Canizares of Valencia or Ustari of Getafe will be loaned to FC Barcelona. No decision has yet been made on the issue, even as Canizares looks to be more in favooured to wear the keeper's shirt in the Barca squad.

The FC Barcelona strongman has been rested for one week after tests revealed his bruise will need about seven days to heal.


Puyol was substituted in the 78th minute of the match against Real Madrid after receiving an earlier knock to his right knee from a ferocious tackle by Raul Gonzalez. There were initial fears that the injury that sidelined Puyol for over three months was going to rear its head again. However, such fears have been cut off after scans and tests revealed that Carles Puyol will be having a quiet Christmas and will not be available for active training when Barca's camp re-opens on December 29th. It's stil not certain if Puyol will be playing in FC Barcelona next match against Alcoyano in the Copa Del Rey quarter final second leg match slated for Camp Nou on January 2nd, 2008.