Barcelona star to return to action ahead of Chelsea clash

Alexia Putellas has not played since suffering an ACL injury during a Spain training session on the eve of Euro 2022 last summer. 

She entered a significant phase of her recovery at the end of December and has been making steady progress ever since.

The 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner had been moving closer to a return in recent weeks. 

While she wasn't in the matchday squad for Barcelona's 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend, she traveled with the team and sat in the dugout with the substitutes and staff. 

Although there was uncertainty as to exactly when Putellas would be declared fit and whether the Chelsea return leg was too soon, Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that Putellas had been 'medically discharged' with a picture of her training at Camp Nou.

Avoiding defeat at Camp Nou on Thursday would see Barcelona reach the Champions League final for the third season in a row.