Barcelona, Oct 15 (IANS): Midfielders Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo and Frenkie De Jong joined Barcelona's Tuesday training session, gearing up for the away La Liga game against Eibar.

Ernesto Valverde is getting his injured players back step by step but he is still missing those called up by their countries for international duty: France's Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet, Chile's Arturo Vidal as well as Spain's Sergio Busquets and Ansu Fati, who debuted with the Spanish national U-21 team.

Barça is counting on Samuel Umtiti's medical discharge to solve the problems of the central position since Valverde will not be able to count on sanctioned Gerard Pique or Ronald Araujo, reports Efe news.

The only central defenders available are Lenglet and Jean-Clair Todibo. Some Barcelona B players also joined the training including goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and midfielder Riqui Puig.

Carles Perez, who has physical discomfort, took part in some of the group's work, although he is doubtful for the next La Liga meeting.

Eibar is to host Barcelona on Saturday at Ipurua Municipal Stadium.