The New Year has brought plenty of new cheer for Gerardo Martino as key members of his squad return from injury. As well as Messi, Valdés is also back and will make his comeback this Sunday after being declared fit by doctors. This means that the Barça manager will be able to field his first-choice starting XI against Atlético de Madrid. He could even do so sooner, although it is advisable not to rush players back.
The clearest example of this is Messi. Tata had planned for him to play some part in Sunday's game against Elche, but his comeback will be put back a few days and Leo will make his return for Barça's Spanish Cup game against Getafe, although he isn't expected to start.
The only first-choice player left on the treatment table is Carles Puyol, and even then it is only with a minor niggle. In other words, every probable starting player is now fit and ready. December was tough for Martino given a mounting injury list which forced him to call upon the reserves.
For one reason or another, suspensions included, the Barça manager was without Messi, Valdés, Alba, Alves, Puyol, Adriano, Neymar and Alexis at one time or another. Despite this, the Catalan giants kept up their league title challenge.