Barcelona's floundering attack was given a much-needed boost on Monday as forwards Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Aguero returned to training following long injury layoffs.
Dembele made his first appearance in team training since undergoing surgery in June after injuring his right knee during France's Euro 2020 game with Hungary.
Aguero, who joined Barca as a free agent in the close season after a decade with Manchester City and is yet to make his debut for the club, returned to training for the first time since injuring his calf in a pre-season session on Aug. 8.
Both players participated in a section of the training session, according to Barca's official Twitter account, but still need to be given the medical all-clear before they can be made available for selection by coach Ronald Koeman.
The Catalans host Valencia on Sunday in LaLiga looking to kick-start their campaign after winning one of their last six games in all competitions, failing to score in four of them.
They then host Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Oct. 20 after losing their first two group games for the first time ever, while the following Sunday they play at home to rivals Real Madrid, who are top of LaLiga.
Elsewhere, England midfielder Mason Mount said missing a game at the European Championship after having to self-isloate had an impact on his decision to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Mount and Ben Chilwell were told to self-isolate after the pair were deemed close contacts with Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, who tested positive during the tournament.
Mount had started England’s opening two games of the tournament but had to sit out their 1-0 win over the Czech Republic and was then an unused substitute in the 2-0 victory over Germany in the round of 16.
“I’m double vaccinated now,” Mount told reporters before England’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary later on Tuesday.
“Going through that experience, missing the game—a top, top game—did have an effect on my decision.”
England manager Southgate said last week he is unsure how many players in his squad were fully vaccinated.
“I don’t think you can force anyone to get it. For players, it’s down to their decision how they feel about it,” Mount said.
“But for me, going through that experience, it did make me want to get it and get it quite quickly.”
