• Champions League

Wenger hopeful Cesc will face Barcelona

ESPN staff
March 3, 2011
Cesc Fabregas has had injury troubles this season © PA Photos
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Cesc Fabregas has returned to training and is free of pain, raising hope the Arsenal captain will be fit to face Barcelona in the Champions league next week.

The Spaniard limped out of the win over Stoke with a hamstring injury, forcing him to sit out the club's defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final.

He also was absent for the FA Cup romp over Leyton Orient on Thursday but has his sights trained on his former club Barca.

"I am running, getting better and don't sense any pain," Fabregas said. "We'll see how the next few days go.

"We'll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off against Stoke. I couldn't afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is positive his captain will be fit for the trip to Spain. He said: "I personally hope next Tuesday he has a chance to play in Barcelona. I don't think he will be involved on Saturday, but he will train on Sunday and a final test on Monday morning."

Arsenal are protecting a 2-1 lead and want their captain back, given the likes of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are sidelined.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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