PORTO: Porto coach Sergio Conceicao said on Friday that defender Pepe has returned to training and will be in the squad for Saturday's Primeira Liga visit of Santa Clara.

The veteran centre-back hurt a muscle and missed Portugal's games with Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg during the recent international break.

However, Conceicao confirmed that the 38-year-old is fit again, in a boost for Porto ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Chelsea.

"Pepe's ready and fit to play," Conceicao told a news conference.

"We'll see if he's going be in the starting XI or just part of the squad, but he is fit and available."