BARCELONA, Spain -- The core of Barcelonas Champions League-winning squad has returned to preseason training without star forward Lionel Messi. Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta were among a group of 16 players that reported for physical tests Monday morning and will undergo a light training session later. Messi and Argentina teammates Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Milito, plus Barcelonas Brazilian players, Daniel Alves and Adriano, have been given extended leave after playing in the Copa America. Argentina lost its quarterfinal against Uruguay on Saturday and Brazil went out at the same stage to Paraguay on Sunday. Injured captain Carles Puyol will also miss the opening sessions, while forward Bojan Krkic was excused ahead of his expected move to Italian club Roma. Puyol will continue rehabilitation work after having an operation on his left knee in June. Barcelona has not signed nor sold any players, but Spanish media is reporting that a move worth up to C40 million ($56 million) for Chile winger Alexis Sanchez is imminent. Sanchez has been representing his country at the Copa America, but negotiations with his Italian club Udinese are expected to accelerate after Chile lost in the quarterfinals to Venezuela on Sunday. Barcelona also has a long-standing interest in Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, a former Barcelona academy player. [url=http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Gary-Payton-Jersey/]http:/... . After arriving in this picturesque Swiss city on Wednesday, the jetlagged Canadians used their pre-tournament off-day to hit the Alps and take in the sights from the top of Mount Pilatus. [url=http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Detlef-Schrempf-Jersey/]ht... . After his 100-meter jump, Gruber pulled away from Wilhelm Denifl of Germany who won the jumping section, and cruised to his third career World Cup victory, covering the 10-kilometre distance in 27 minutes, 29. [url=http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Steven-Adams-Jersey/]http:... .C. -- The San Antonio Rampage are the latest team to play giant slayer in Abbotsford. [url=http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/]http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.... . Even the potential problems at Andretti Autosports right now are good ones to have. Hunter-Reay grabbed the lead with 12 laps to go and held off a surging Andretti to win his second race in seven days, a week during which Michael Andretti successfully pulled off a return to Milwaukee as a first-time promoter. [url=http://www.thunderteamofficialshop.com/Authentic-Reggie-Jackson-Jersey/]htt... . Hunter-Reay, the IndyCar series leader, completed the 2.2-mile, 13-turn circuit in the fastest time of one minute 17.23 seconds in the final qualifying session at the City Centre Airport.SAN FRANCISCO -- Pablo Sandoval insists hell get back to his rigorous fitness routine to be at his best for the rest of San Franciscos season -- and he doesnt much care what the general public thinks about his waist size. "Its important what I think, what they think: my coach, my trainers," Sandoval said Saturday. "If they think I should lose weight, Im going to lose it. The way I feel, I feel great." The switch-hitting slugger came off the disabled list Saturday and returned to the lineup playing third base and batting third for the middle game of the Giants weekend series with the Texas Rangers in a rematch of the 2010 World Series. Manager Bruce Bochy planned to speak to his 2011 All-Star about his focus as he tries to pick up the level he was at before undergoing surgery May 4 to remove a broken hamate bone in his left hand. The 25-year-old Sandoval also is being investigated on sexual assault allegations in Santa Cruz County, but no charges have been filed. When asked about why he was partying in Santa Cruz just before the start of his rehab assignment, he declined to offer details. He has referred all legal questions to his attorney. "You know what? Im focused on baseball. Im ready to play," he said. "Im focused right now on the rest of the team and thats it." Last week, when Sandoval was on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, Bochy said Sandoval would have to get in shape to play third base and that it was "in Pablos hands," while also noting he hoped he wasnt forced to make a personnel change at third. "There comes a time when you dont want to hear it, you need action," Bochy said Saturday. "Thats got to happen now, which has this past week. He worked hard, hes getting it down. That has to be consistent, it cant be for three or four days or a week. Its got to be for the season. Thats what he needs to do, thats what we wannt to see and he knows thats what he needs to do.dddddddddddd Hes a vital part of this team. As weve seen, just a couple years ago, when hes not quite in the condition he needs to be its hard to perform to your capability." The Giants have made a big investment in the guy nicknamed "Kung Fu Panda