Samuel Umtiti has recovered from a knee injury in time to join Barcelona’s squad for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon.
Ernesto Valverde’s men visit Groupama Stadium on Tuesday and will do so with France international Umtiti in tow after he was named in their 21-man travelling party.
The 25-year-old, who signed for the Liga champions from Lyon in 2016, rejoined training earlier this month but has not featured since the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on November 24.
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Umtiti’s availability is particularly timely with fellow centre-back Thomas Vermaelen ruled out due to a muscle problem in his right leg.
Vermaelen completed 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga but now joins Arthur (hamstring), Rafinha (knee) and Jasper Cillessen (calf) on the sidelines.
In a statement, Barca described the issue as a “muscle overload” and said a return date would be determined pending further assessment.
Clement Lenglet and Jeison Murillo are Valverde’s other options to partner Gerard Pique in the heart of .
Lionel Messi, who scored one penalty and missed another against Valladolid, is included as expected alongside Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele.