Masked Puyol could feature in Super Cup
Reuters - Tuesday 28 August 2012, 21:12
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol
could play a part in Wednesday's Spanish Super Cup second leg at
Real Madrid despite a fractured cheekbone but will have to wear
a protective mask, coach Tito Vilanova said on Tuesday.
Central defender Puyol, who sustained the injury in Sunday's
2-1 La Liga win at Osasuna, trained with his team-mates on
Tuesday and Vilanova said a decision on his availability would
be taken on Wednesday.
"Today he trained but avoided any contact," Vilanova told a
news conference previewing the Super Cup showdown, in which
Barca will start with a 3-2 advantage from last week's first leg
at the Nou Camp.
"Tomorrow we'll see how he is feeling and make a decision,"
he added.
"If the doctors say there is the slightest risk he won't
play. We won't take any risks with Carles."
Barca also said on Tuesday that their Netherlands midfielder
Ibrahim Afellay had asked to be excused from the trip to the
Spanish capital so he can resolve his future.
Afellay had surgery on damaged knee ligaments in October and
although he recovered to join the Netherlands squad for Euro
2012, it has become clear that he will struggle to win a regular
place in Vilanova's side.
Spanish media have linked the 26-year-old with a possible
loan move to Premier League side Liverpool or a Serie A team.