Pablo Barrios handed Atletico Madrid a timely boost by rejoining first-team training on Monday following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The midfielder, who has featured in just one of the club's last 16 outings, returns to the fold on the eve of a monumental Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barcelona at the Metropolitano.

It has been a frustrating period for Barrios, who has been plagued by two muscle injuries in as many months. An initial setback on 5 February saw him miss seven matches, and after a brief return against Tottenham on 10 March, a training-ground injury forced him to sit out the 'Rojiblancos' last eight fixtures.

Diego Simeone must now decide whether to risk Barrios in Tuesday’s high-stakes encounter with Barcelona or be preserved for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad in Seville. The youngster rejoined the group for a normal training session on Monday morning at the club's Majadahonda training base.

In further positive news for the hosts, Johnny Cardoso is expected to be named in the matchday squad to face Barcelona after recovering from a two-and-a-half-week muscle injury. However, the defensive duo of Jose Maria Gimenez (muscle issue) and David Hancko (twisted ankle) both remain unavailable.

Both Gimenez and Hancko are ruled out of Tuesday's fixture against Barcelona, as is Marc Pubill, who serves a one-match suspension.

Pablo Barrios

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