Neymar returns to Barcelona training after bout of mumps but forward is ruled out of opening La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona were handed a boost on Saturday as forward Neymar returned to training but the Brazil international will play no part in the club's first La Liga clash of the season against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Neymar's start to the new campaign has been disrupted after the 23-year-old contracted mumps and Luis Enrique has confirmed he has not made the squad for the trip to San Mames.

Following the sale of Pedro to Chelsea earlier this week Barcelona will be buoyed by the imminent return of Neymar if if the first game of the season has come too early.

One player who was pleased to see him back on the training pitch was international team-mate Dani Alves, who took to Instagram to share a picture of the pair after Saturday's session.

'My big bro Neymar is back, now more fast, more furious and ready to enjoy!' the right back wrote on the social media site after the players were put through their paces ahead of Sunday's match.

Fit-again Jordi Alba is available for Sunday's opening match, however, after recovering from a thigh injury sustained against Roma in a pre-season friendly.
The Spain fullback missed the Spanish and European Super Cups, but has been given the all-clear by club medical staff to be involved on Sunday.

Barca, chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years having won a domestic and European treble last season, are looking to bounce back after they lost the Spanish Super Cup to Bilbao 5-1 on aggregate.

Spain centre back Gerard Pique was sent off in Monday's second leg for insulting a linesman and banned for four matches and Luis Enrique confirmed the club had appealed the sanction.

The Bilbao game will be Barca's first outing since the exit of forward Pedro, who joined English Premier League champions Chelsea this week.

The Spain's international's departure has prompted suggestions Luis Enrique might be short of attacking options, especially if Lionel Messi, Neymar or Luis Suarez pick up an injury.

The situation has been compounded by the fact that Barca cannot register any purchases, including Turkey playmaker Arda Turan and versatile Spain full back Aleix Vidal, until January because of a FIFA ban for breaking rules on the transfer of foreign under-18 players.

'We knew it was a tough and strong punishment,' Luis Enrique told reporters.
'We can overcome many things and we are ready to compete,' added the former Spain international.

'We are the champions and we have to defend the title and we are favourites because of that.

'It's going to be a hard-fought league, with three or four teams capable of leading the championship.'

Barca's great rivals Real Madrid begin their campaign at promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday and Atletico Madrid, the 2013-14 champions, host another promoted side, Las Palmas, later on Saturday.