Vermaelen misses Barcelona training with bruised ankle
Thomas Vermaelen is unlikely to feature against Athletic
Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen missed training on Saturday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva in Sant Joan Despí ahead of Sunday's game against Athletic Club.
Vermaelen has a brusied ankle and joined Sergio Busquets, Nelson Semedo and Denis Suarez on the sidelines.
However, Carles Aleña did train and is likely to make the 18-man squad for the game after being left out of Barça B's trip to Lorca on Saturday.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is also without Luis Suarez for the match. The Uruguayan striker is suspended after earning his fifth yellow card last weekend at Malaga.
Therefore, with Suarez and Busquets both missing, Valverde is going to have to think hard about his side for the visit of his former employers.
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