Jordy Nelson had the rib injury, he was back. He looked like the receiver we saw before the ACL. I felt that his explosion was back, the burst was back, the separation ability when the ball's in the air, that was back. Another big part is Cook. I mean Jared Cook is not Rob Gronkowski, he's not Tony Gonzalez, but he plays a nice role in this offense. He gives them an inside vertical threat. He allows them to do some isolation. Having that other option has helped.

"If Geronimo Allison, who's undrafted, can go out there on the playoff stage and make plays, that narrative didn't exist in August. Everyone is playing I think their best football because the quarterback is playing his best football. It's demanded ofSamper and Vermaelen rejoin the group at Barcelona training LaLiga Santander Barcelona B players also involved

Ernesto Valverde led a recovery training session on Friday morning after Barcelona's Thursday night Copa del Rey game at Levante, with Sergi Samper and Thomas Vermaelen working with the team for part of the session.

Both are still recovering from their respective injuries as Samper suffered a break in his right leg while Vermaelen has had problems with his right femoral biceps.

Doctors will continue to monitor the progress of the two.

Meanwhile, many players from the B team joined in with the first team, including Inaki Pena, Moussa Wague, Oriol Busquets and Riqui Puig.