Andres Iniesta a fitness doubt as Barcelona prepare to face Eibar

Barcelona will make a late decision on the fitness of captain Andres Iniesta ahead of Sunday's Primera Division clash with Eibar at the Nou Camp.

Coach Luis Enrique had his full squad available for Saturday's final training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, but will wait until closer to kick-off before making a call on Spain midfielder Iniesta.

"Iniesta is a player we always need, regardless of the state of the team," Enrique said of the 31-year-old, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen on September 29.

"He has trained with us this week and feels well. (On Sunday) we will see if he is ready to play."

The Basque visitors head into the weekend seventh in the standings on 13 points, and unbeaten away from home.

"It's a challenge for us," Enrique said at his pre-match press conference, quoted on www.fcbarcelona.cat. "Eibar are a team who have a clear idea of how to play."

Barca go into the contest at the Nou Camp after Tuesday's 2-0 win over BATE Borisov in Belarus, and Enrique has his sights set on three points.

"The main objective is to win, and if we can do so with a clean sheet then all the better," he added.

Two goals from Ivan Rakitic handed the Catalans their second win in the Champions League and lifted the holders three points clear of nearest rivals Leverkusen at the top of Group E.

Barca remain without Lionel Messi due to a knee injury sustained against Las Palmas last month.

The Argentina forward is believed to be still around three weeks away from returning, but Enrique says he is chomping at the bit to get back involved.

"He has a crazy desire to play again," he said.

Midfielder Sergi Roberto will also be absent on Sunday after sustaining a minor groin injury in midweek that will keep him out for 10 days.

Enrique's side are hoping to clinch their third win on the trot in all competitions this weekend.

They bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla with a 5-2 triumph over Rayo Vallecano last weekend to join La Liga leaders Real Madrid and Celta Vigo on 18 points.

Real face Celta on Saturday.

Enrique also took time before the match to send his best wishes to Johan Cruyff, after the former Barca player and coach confirmed earlier this week that he was battling lung cancer.

"It's very sad news," the 45-year-old said. "I wish him a lot of strength and a lot of encouragement, with the certainty that he will overcome this as he has always done so far."

Eibar held Sevilla to a 1-1 draw last time out to move into seventh place in La Liga.

They have lost just one of their opening eight games, a 2-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid last month.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side have looked solid at both ends of the pitch, scoring 11 goals while conceding seven.

"We will try to pull off a surprise knowing that the Nou Camp is the toughest stadium to play at," Eibar captain Dani Garcia told his club's official website.

"We are going through a good spell of form and we need to make the most of it because sooner or later, this will end.

"The fact that Messi will not play is a slight advantage for us but Barca have other great players."

Borja Baston, who is Eibar's leading scorer with five goals, will lead his team's attack.

The visitors will be without defender Ivan Ramis, who is sidelined for five weeks with a muscle tear in his right leg.