Lewandowski cleared to play for Barcelona but must wear protective face mask

Barcelona will welcome back Robert Lewandowski after he was cleared to play, but the veteran striker must wear a protective eye mask to safeguard a bone fracture in the internal orbital area of his left eye. The injury was sustained against Villarreal and had kept him sidelined.

The 37-year-old watched from the stands as Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, providing vocal support while his absence was felt in the final third. Medical updates from the training ground now suggest Hansi Flick will have Lewandowski available for the upcoming run of fixtures, beginning with the trip to Athletic Club on Saturday.

Lewandowski was seen back on the grass on Wednesday, initially working alone to acclimatise to the carbon-fibre protection before joining the main group for full tactical sessions.

Spain, Barcelona

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