Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has returned to training wearing a protective mask for his fractured cheekbone.

The 34-year-old, who missed Spain's successful defence of the European Championship title with a knee injury in the summer, suffered the cheekbone setback in a clash with Osasuna forward Roland Lamah during Barcelona's 2-1 win on August 26.

The Barcelona captain, who will be absent from Spain's World Cup qualifier away to Georgia on Tuesday, will be allowed to wear the mask against Getafe in Barcelona's next Primera Division match on September 15.