Barça begin preparing for Copa clash with Hercules in the rain

Barcelona returned to training on Monday to prepare for their final game of 2016, the Copa del Rey second leg against Hercules, with the score currently at 1-1 after the first leg. 

The players who started on Sunday against Espanyol did recovery work, while Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Gerard Pique, with permission, have now begun their winter break. 

Barça manager Luis Enrique had everyone else available save the injured Jeremy Mathieu. The Frenchman, therefore, will not be available for Hercules on Wednesday and will not return to action until 2017.

Monday's session took place on the Tito Vilanova pitch at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper, where there was plenty of rain to contend with. Despite the bad weather, though, the players were in a good mood after the 4-1 win over Espanyol. 

The squad are preparing for Wednesday's game, which kicks off at 22h CET. Barça need a win to reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.