Mikel Merino returns to full Spain training

The Arsenal midfielder has played limited minutes in Spain’s past three matches after returning for the Champions League final.

Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

Mikel Merino has returned to full training with Spain after completing two individual sessions on an 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′).

Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

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.

Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Getty Images