Carles Puyol will this week get the green light to step up his comeback from long-term injury before the start of the new season.
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova has pencilled in the friendly with Paris Saint-Germain on August 4 as a return date for the influential 34-year-old, who was told last week that the club was prepared to give him an open-ended contract that will see him remain at the Camp Nou for the rest of his playing days.
Club doctors believe the Spanish international’s knee is now fully recovered and Puyol has this week been training at a high tempo with the rest of the squad, meaning he will make his reappearance just three months after undergoing surgery.
In addition, the game with the French club will see Puyol put to the test against former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will be making his official debut for PSG after his signing from Milan.
