Barcelona defender Marc Bartra has welcomed the return to full fitness of Thomas Vermaelen.

The Belgian has joined Barca's first team training this week after recovering from serious hamstring injury.

Bartra stated: "I'm very happy for Vermaelen. He's gone through some tough times. Now is the first time since he got here that he feels like a player.

"Obviously I have more competition, but I've always had that at Barça. That's what made me better and as well as psychologically and athletically stronger. It's important to adapt so that the competition makes you better and not worse."