Neymar nearing Barcelona comeback

Neymar could make his eagerly-awaited return to action in Barcelona's pre-season clash with Leon on Monday.

The 22-year-old attacker has been sidelined since the quarter-final stage of this summer's World Cup, when the Brazil star picked up a back injury which ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

Neymar is believed to be optimistic about his chances of featuring in the Joan Gamper trophy clash with Mexican side Leon next week, when Barca play at Camp Nou under new coach Luis Enrique for the first time.

Indeed, the Catalans have confirmed that the Brazilian is working with the first team and is close to making his comeback.

"Although he has yet to be given a clean bill of health by club doctors, Neymar completed a full session under Luis Enrique this evening, as the squad had their second session of the day," Barca said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Brazilian has been gradually getting up to speed with the rest of the players since reporting back for duty with the back injury he picked up at the World Cup."

Neymar will not train on Thursday - along with most of his team-mates, due to doubling up with training sessions over the past few days - but confirmation that he is fit to play against Leon is expected to come over the weekend.

Xavi, Marc Bartra and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will work on specific solo training regimes, while new centre-back signing Thomas Vermaelen is doing physiotherapy work as he recovers from an injury sustained at the World Cup.

Alderweireld wants Atletico Madrid exit - father

The defender's parent, who is also his agent, says his son wants to leave the Vicente Calderon because of a lack of game time under Diego Simeone last season

Toby Alderweireld wants to leave Atletico Madrid in search of regular first-team football, according to his father.

The Belgium international won La Liga in his debut season at the Vicente Calderon, but the defender only started 12 games following his arrival from Dutch champions Ajax last summer.

With the 25-year-old expected to play second-fiddle to Diego Godin and Joao Miranda again this term, Viv Alderweireld, who represents his son, says that the centre-half is seeking a short-term move away from Atletico amid reported interest from the Premier League.

"We have since last year been in several discussions about moving and Atletico understand that we do not think it makes sense to let Toby another year on the bench," Viv told Het Nieuwsblad.

"He wants to play. If there is a solution, Atletico will not stand in Toby's way.

"A loan move would be the best option, so we can revisit the situation next year."

Alderweireld has a contract with Atletico until June 30, 2017, after signing for the club a year ago for an estimated €7 million.

Since the start of the summer, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked with he Belgian.

Suarez ban upheld by CAS

The Uruguayan striker's four-month playing ban remains in place, although he will now be allowed to return to training

Luis Suarez has had his appeal against the four-month ban placed upon him by Fifa rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but will be allowed to train with Barcelona.

Suarez was originally banned by Fifa from all football-related activity after biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's 1-0 win over Italy in a World Cup fixture in Natal in June.

But CAS has made the decision that the Uruguayan should be allowed to return to work, albeit with his playing suspension remaining in place.

A CAS statment explained: "The CAS Panel found that the sanctions imposed on the player were generally proportionate to the offence committed. It has however considered that the stadium ban and the ban from 'any football-related activity' were excessive given that such measures are not appropriate to sanction the offence committed by the player and would still have an impact on his activity after the end of the suspension."

The 27-year-old can now train with his new Barcelona team-mates for the first time since his €88 million transfer from Liverpool, while he can also commit to promotional activity.