Barcelona handed timely personnel boost ahead of Valencia showdown

Spanish giants Barcelona have, on Saturday, confirmed a crucial boost amid the club's personnel ranks, ahead of their imminent meeting with Valencia.

The player to have recovered fitness in time for the clash? Ronald Araujo.

Stopper Araujo was of course forced off at the interval in Barca's prior La Liga outing, after picking up a calf injury during a derby showdown with Espanyol.

The Uruguayan, in turn, sat out the Blaugrana's midweek clash with Napoli in the Europa League.

It had since remained unclear whether or not he would be fit to return to the pitch in time to face Valencia this weekend, but, as alluded to above, as much has been confirmed on Saturday evening.

In a series of posts across social media, Barcelona have confirmed that Araujo has indeed recovered full fitness, with the 22-year-old, as a result, included in the club's travelling squad bound for the Mestalla:

Atleti return to winning ways

Sunday's clash of course marks just the latest of vital importance to Barca, amid the club's ongoing efforts to secure Champions League football for next season.

After requiring a last-gasp equaliser to clinch a point at Espanyol last time out, Xavi Hernandez's men were subsequently leapfrogged by both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table earlier today, with the latter's triumph over Osasuna having included the following Luis Suarez special:

Barca, though, are aware that a 3-point haul at the Mestalla in a little less than 24 hours' time would see them draw level with Diego Simeone's champions in 4th, whilst, crucially, boasting a game in hand, too.

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