Report: Lionel Messi ditches crutches, has eye on El Clasico return

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi no longer needs crutches to walk as he begins the second stage of his recovery from knee ligament damage.

The Argentine international was ruled out for two months late last month after suffering a ligament injury in his team's 2-1 win over Las Palmas.

Messi spent last week on crutches in a bid to stop the inflammation, but according to AS, the forward is now walking freely and will work with the Barcelona physios in the gym this week.

The news has boosted suggestions that he will be fit to face Real Madrid in El Clasico on November 21.

In Messi's absence, Barcelona have struggled to narrow wins over Las Palmas and Bayer Leverkusen, before losing 2-1 to Sevilla in the league at the weekend.