Barcelona: Lionel Messi recovery "going to plan"

La Liga side Barcelona have confirmed that star striker Lionel Messi's recovery from injury is currently going as expected.

Messi was injured earlier in the month and initially ruled out for up to two months, and the club have confirmed that he would be flying to Argentina on Friday for the second phase of his treatment.

"The first stage of his recovery now complete, Leo Messi will be flying to Argentina on Friday, as scheduled, for the second phase of the process under supervision of the club medical services," a statement on the club's official website read.

"The latest tests on the player have shown that the recovery programme is going to plan."

Messi's teammate Sergio Busquets expects the Argentine to return fully fit.