Suarez desperate to start playing again: Iniesta

Spain and Barcelona star Andres Iniesta said Tuesday that Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez is desperate to return to the pitch as soon as possible in order to start playing with his new club.

Suarez will know later this week whether or not the Court for Arbitration in Sport in Geneva will accept his arguments to have the four-month ban from any football related activity, which was imposed on him by FIFA for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup finals, lifted, reports Xinhua.

Until then the Uruguayan has to train alone and won't be able to work alongside the rest of his companions until the end of October.

"He's desperate to start working with us," admitted Iniesta, who is nevertheless happy how pre-season is progressing under the guidance of new coach, Luis Enrique.

"He (Enrique) is demanding and always works with the ball in our training sessions in which we are all working to do what he asks us and to take on his tactical ideas," commented the midfielder, who added that as usual with a new coach, "we will see how the team improves as the season progresses."

Barca have made several signings this summer - goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Ter Stegen, along with defenders Thomas Vermaelen (who was signed carrying a hamstring injury) and Jeremy Mathieu. However, perhaps the most significant is Sevilla midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, who Iniesta knows well.

"We have watched him for a long time and I know he's a quality player. He is a great player to have in midfield, because he is very strong and is equally good with both feet. He is a complete player and Barca have done well to sign him," said Iniesta.