Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde vows to exercise caution with Lionel Messi after recent injury

Messi returned off the bench against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
AFP/Getty Images
Tony Mogan9 February 2019

Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele have been named in the Barcelona squad for Sunday’s clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Messi was only deemed fit enough to come off the bench in Barcelona's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after a recent thigh injury.

Valverde may however exercise caution over the Argentina international, with his side returning to Champions League action against Lyon on February 19.

The Barcelona manager told a press conference on Saturday: "As always, we have to wait to make a decision.

"The other day we did not want to risk him and we are in a similar situation tomorrow.

"He's okay, but if he were at 100 per cent, as he has been at other times, he'd play."

Dembele is also in line to return after recovering from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since mid-January.

Valverde will be without midfielder Arthur, however, who picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to return in a month.

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