Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has trained with his team-mates for the first time since surgery on a hamstring injury, the La Liga leaders said on Wednesday. The Belgium international, who has been unable to make his Barca debut after picking up the injury at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, said last week he was targeting a return to action next month. Vermaelen sustained the injury before he signed for Barcelona from Arsenal, prompting some to question why the club completed the deal to sign the 29-year-old. Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen is back in training with Barcelona after his hamstring injury . The former Arsenal man (left) joined the club in the summer but is yet to make his debut . Vermaelen (right) alongside Luis Suarez at Barcelona's training session on Wednesday morning . Jeremy Mathieu (left) and Suarez, the scorers of Barcelona's two goals on Sunday against Real Madrid . 'The main novelty at the training session was Thomas Vermaelen,' Barca said on their website. 'The Belgian defender was able to complete part of training with the rest of the group,' they added. After the international break, Barca's next outing is a La Liga game at Celta Vigo. They are four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid following Sunday's 2-1 victory over the arch rivals in the 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp. Suarez takes part in a drill at Cuitat Esportiva, Barcelona's training ground, on Wednesday morning . A number of Barcelona players are away on international duty, but Xavi Hernandez was present at training . Suarez (right) and Sergi Roberto compete to be the first to score into a bin during the training session . Vermaelen enjoyed success in his final season at Arsenal, lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in May .
Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen has been out with a hamstring injury . The former Arsenal defender joined the Spanish club in the summer . He returned to training for the first time since surgery on Wednesday . Vermaelen picked up the injury at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil . CLICK HERE for all the latest Barcelona news .