Barcelona striker David Villa has said that he is hoping to return to the first-team action in time for the match against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.

David Villa is currently out with a long-term injury after suffering a fractured tibia during the Club World Cup in Japan. Initially, it was expected that the Spaniard will miss the rest of the season along with the Euro 2012 as well.

However, the 30-year-old striker has proven that his recovery powers still remain intact after declaring that he will be fit by the time Real Madrid will be visiting the Camp Nou for the El Clasico.

The match against Real Madrid at the El Clasico is going to be an important encounter for Barcelona given that it will represent one of the best opportunities for them to close the gap to the leaders Real Madrid. The capital club currently have a 10 point advantage over Barcelona in the league.

Even with the hopes of winning the league vanishing, David Villa has said that his return in the match against Real Madrid will prove vital in helping Barcelona go some way into reducing the deficit. Once David Villa returns to the first-team action for Barcelona, one can expect him to be fit for the Euro 2012 as well.

David Villa is currently making a rapid return towards the first team action. He has been undergoing various workouts in order to prepare himself for the much anticipated return. Without the extra dimensions that David Villa provides to the Barcelona team, the Catalan club have been struggling in the domestic league. Even though they have been performing quite well in the European competitions, the domestic league form has suffered since the absence of David Villa. Barcelona will be taking on Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in April.