Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has trained with his team-mates for the first time since surgery on a hamstring injury , the La Liga leaders said on Wednesday . The Belgium international , who has been unable to make his Barca debut after picking up the injury at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil , said last week he was targeting a return to action next month . Vermaelen sustained the injury before he signed for Barcelona from Arsenal , prompting some to question why the club completed the deal to sign the 29-year-old . Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen is back in training with Barcelona after his hamstring injury . The former Arsenal man ( left ) joined the club in the summer but is yet to make his debut . Vermaelen ( right ) alongside Luis Suarez at Barcelona 's training session on Wednesday morning . Jeremy Mathieu ( left ) and Suarez , the scorers of Barcelona 's two goals on Sunday against Real Madrid . 'The main novelty at the training session was Thomas Vermaelen , ' Barca said on their website . 'The Belgian defender was able to complete part of training with the rest of the group , ' they added . After the international break , Barca 's next outing is a La Liga game at Celta Vigo . They are four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid following Sunday 's 2-1 victory over the arch rivals in the 'Clasico ' at the Nou Camp . Suarez takes part in a drill at Cuitat Esportiva , Barcelona 's training ground , on Wednesday morning . A number of Barcelona players are away on international duty , but Xavi Hernandez was present at training . Suarez ( right ) and Sergi Roberto compete to be the first to score into a bin during the training session . Vermaelen enjoyed success in his final season at Arsenal , lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in May .
Barcelona 's Jeremy Mathieu has been out with a hamstring injury . The former Arsenal defender joined the Spanish club in the summer . He returned to training for the first time since surgery on Wednesday . Vermaelen picked up the injury at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil . CLICK HERE for all the latest Barcelona news .