Messi in the squad list for Bilbao trip; Dembélé gets all-clear
Despite not being 100 per cent fit, Messi is in the Barcelona squad for Sunday's game at Athletic Club. Luis Suárez who is a card away from suspension, is also included.
Despite not being fully fit, Lionel Messi has been included in the list for Sunday's game at Athletic Club. The Argentinean, who is aware of how vital this game is for Barça's title challenge, will fly to Bilbao with the squad tomorrow. But the main surprise in the list was the return of Ousmane Dembélé, who is over the injury he picked up in the league game against Leganés. B team left-back Juan Miranda was the other surprise addition in the list. He comes in for the suspended Jordi Alba although it's unlikely he will start.
Barcelona squad
Ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña, Semedo, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Coutinho, Suárez, Messi, Dembélé, Malcom, Lenglet, Murillo, Prince, Sergi Roberto, Aleñá, Vidal, Vermaelen and Miranda.