Messi(ah) returns for Barcelona

Lionel Messi shares a light moment with a Barcelona team mate at a training session on Friday. (Photo: AP)

Argentina’s pain is Barcelona’s gain as Lionel Messi returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna visit Camp Nou on Saturday after being sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury.

Messi missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay as La Albiceleste’s struggles without the five-time World Player of the Year continued, putting at risk their place at the 2018 World Cup.

However, international breaks have traditionally caused Barca trouble too with lethargic performances on their return to La Liga action coming to be known as the “Fifa virus.”

Barca boss Luis Enrique paid a heavy price for leaving Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench for a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves after September’s international break.

However, with a blockbuster Champions League clash against former Barca coach Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to come on Wednesday, Enrique could roll the dice with his selection once more.

Messi is expected to be eased back into action as a second-half substitute. Meanwhile, Suarez could make way for Paco Alcacer having played twice for Uruguay in the past week.

Neymar will definitely start as he returned to the Catalan capital early due to his suspension for Brazil’s 2-0 win at Venezuela on Tuesday.

A 4-3 defeat to Celta Vigo two weeks ago leaves Barca only fourth in the table.

However, they trail leaders Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid by just two points and can go temporarily at least to the top of the table with victory before the sides from the capital kick-off later on Saturday.

Injury woes for Zidane’s Real Real face the toughest task on paper of the title contenders as they travel to Real Betis aiming to snap a streak of four consecutive draws.

Zinedine Zidane’s men also having a mounting injury crisis as captain Sergio Ramos is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks by a knee sprain suffered in Spain’s 2-0 win at Albania in midweek.

Luka Modric is also out for the rest of the month due to knee surgery, whilst influential holding midfielder Casemiro is missing due to a fractured fibia. Fixtures (all times IST): Saturday: Leganes vs Sevilla (4.30 pm), Barcelona vs Deportivo la Coruna (7.45 pm), Atletico Madrid s Granada (10 pm), Real Betis vs Real Madrid (12.15 am) Sunday: Alaves vs Malaga (1.30 pm), Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad (7.45 pm), Sporting Gijon vs Valencia (10 pm), Villarreal vs Celta Vigo (12.15 am)