Sporting Gijon right-back Douglas expects to face Barcelona at the El Molinon stadium on Saturday after recovering from a gluteal injury he suffered while sleeping awkwardly on a team bus.
Douglas, 26, who has played just one La Liga game since joining Sporting on a season-long loan from Barca this summer, missed Thursday's training session and needed treatment for the muscular problem picked up on the return trip to Gijon after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo.
Sporting fitness trainer Gerardo Ruiz confirmed the news and told Cadena Ser: "Douglas had trained the day before really well. He is very professional. He just slept awkwardly on the bus was lying in a bad position. He woke up the next day with a pain in his hip and his gluteus and was unable to train. He got treatment and now he is fine."
Ruiz says it is not uncommon that players suffer from back pain because of the long bus trips after away games.
"I even had a player that had to miss a game because of it," he said.
Douglas said on the club's official website: "I'm physically well and available for selection. This is a special week, it's always special to play against Barcelona."
He made just 12 appearances for the Spanish giants since arriving at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2014 from Sao Paulo and joined Sporting in search of more playing time.
The Brazilian started in Sporting's 5-0 defeat at Atletico on Sept. 17 but did not feature on Wednesday at Vigo.
"I've come here to add," Douglas said. "But the coach is the one that decides who plays and who makes the squad. I want to help the team."
Sporting, coached by former Barcelona player Abelardo, have won two and lost two of their opening five league games.
