The Arsenal midfielder has played limited minutes in Spain’s past three matches after returning for the Champions League final.
Mikel Merino has returned to full training with Spain after completing two individual sessions on a programme designed to manage his recovery from the foot injury that kept him out for four months.
Merino missed 28 matches for club and country after fracturing a bone in his foot. Mikel Arteta described the problem as a “rare” injury, and the midfielder did not return for Arsenal until the final match of the season, the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Spain have taken a cautious approach since his return. Merino has played no more than 29 minutes in each of their past three matches, two friendlies (22′ and 29′) and one match at the World Cup (19′).
For Arsenal, the update is encouraging after Merino missed a significant part of the title-winning campaign.
Merino’s availability remains important for Spain, but given there were doubts that he would even be fit for the tournament, the priority has been to avoid asking too much of him too soon.
His return to normal training now moves him closer to a full role after several carefully managed appearances.
- Stats prove Arsenal aren’t what pundits say they areFar from relying on set-piece goals this season, the statistics suggest Arsenal’s goals have come from some of the longest passing moves in Europe.
- Arsenal consult specialists over Saka injuryMikel Arteta has given a worrying Bukayo Saka update, with Arsenal still waiting on further scans before they know how serious the injury is.
- Arsenal summer signing admits he was in tears leaving former clubBruno Guimaraes has admitted he had many sleepless nights and plenty of tears as he decided to leave Newcastle United for Arsenal over the summer.
- Former Arsenal coach sacked as manager of new clubCrawley Town have announced the departure of former Arsenal youth player and youth coach Colin Kazim-Richards, as one of multiple changes to the club’s key staff.
- Injured Arsenal player returns to full training pre-Everton clashPiero Hincapie has returned to full training with Arsenal, less than two weeks after suffering an injury in a post-match warm-down.