The 34-year-old Spain international's return is a boost to coach Tito Vilanova, who has been struggling to cover the absence of his first-choice centre-backs with Gerard Pique having also been out injured.
Pique damaged his foot in September and returned to play the last few minutes of Barca's shock 2-1 defeat away to Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The La Liga leaders defend their unbeaten domestic start to the season away to Real Mallorca on Sunday, against a side who have lost their last five league games.
