FEUSISBERG – Switzerland playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta returned to training Tuesday after two weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The Bayer Leverkusen winger took part in a morning practice session and was seen jogging, sprinting and passing the ball.

Barnetta damaged ligaments in his left ankle on 20 May. He missed Switzerland’s friendly wins over Slovakia and Liechtenstein, but was included in coach Koebi Kuhn’s 23-man squad for the European Championship.

Kuhn attended the session Tuesday at the Swiss training ground about 30 kilometres south of Zurich. He arrived late to the team’s hotel on Monday evening after his wife was hospitalised.

The Swiss Football Association said Alice Kuhn had an acute loss of consciousness after suffering an epileptic fit. She was admitted to a Zurich hospital, according to a statement.

The Swiss open Euro 2008 against the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Barnetta said Monday he was recovering well from the ankle injury.

“I’ve been off the foot and feel good,” Barnetta said.

The 23-year-old player has emerged as the key creative spark for Switzerland over the past year, and scored both goals in a 2-1 friendly win over the Netherlands in Geneva last August.

Team doctors said last week they expected Barnetta to be ready to play in the opening match.

[AP / Expatica]