Pinto describes Villa as 'a cannon' after sustaining a bruise from Barcelona striker's shot

Barcelona's backup custodian Jose Pinto has posted a picture online of a bruise that was left on his forearm after saving a David Villa shot, proving the attacker's fitness ahead of the new season.

The Spain international forward broke his leg in December last year during the Fifa Club World Cup, and has been on the sideline for the entirety of 2012, missing the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine through injury.

Villa has since returned to full training with the rest of the squad and the Blaugrana shot-stopper has shared a photo on Twitter displaying the imprint that was made when he attempted to save the striker’s effort.

Along with the picture, Pinto tweeted: “I can confirm that @Guaje7Villa is like a cannon! Here is proof of the mark which he signed that he left with his powerful shot!”

Barcelona kick off their pre-season campaign on July 24 against German side Hamburg.