Lionel Messi returned to training with his Barcelona team mates on Monday, suggesting the World Player of the Year could play a part in Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup second leg at home to Atletico Madrid.

The Argentina forward bruised a thigh in last week's first leg at the Calderon, which ended 1-1, and he was taken off at halftime before missing out on Sunday's 1-0 La Liga victory at Malaga as a precaution.

"He took another step forward in his recovery and took part in the session with his team mates on Monday," Barca said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es).

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter @AO_Sportsand on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)