Real Madrid vs Barcelona - Messi in race against time to face Real Madrid

Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona's squad for Saturday's showdown with Real Madrid, but coach Luis Enrique admits there is no guarantee the Argentina star will definitely feature at the Bernabeu following his lengthy lay-off.

Messi has been out of action since September 26 with a knee injury but the club's all-time top scorer returned to training this week and has been named in an 18-man travelling party for this season's first 'El Clasico'.

How much of a role the 28-year-old will play remains to be seen though, with Enrique pointing out he is not back to peak condition yet.

"Whether Messi plays or not, the best news is that he is fit again," the Barcelona boss told a press conference.

"He's been feeling good since he came back. He's recovered and he's in the group dynamic. It's clear he won't be 100 per cent physically because of the time he's been out, but he's so important it gives us security to have him back."

Asked who will decide if Messi is involved, Enrique added: "It's the player who does or doesn't have confidence. We'll need to wait a bit. But with or without him, it's all good news."

Even if Messi does not make the match, Barca captain Andres Iniesta has reminded Madrid that his team will still be formidable opponents as they look to extend their three-point lead over Rafael Benitez's men at the top of the table.

"Let's hope he can play, whether that's from the start or not, because he's an essential player for us," Iniesta said on his club's official website. "We nevertheless have a competitive enough squad to compete with or without him in the team."

Messi scored 58 goals in all competitions last season for Barca in their Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble-winning campaign.

During his absence this season, Luis Suarez and Neymar have accounted for 20 of Barca's 23 goals. Neymar is La Liga's leading scorer with 11 goals, two more than Suarez.

"Our form makes us feel confident," Iniesta said. "In our most recent games we have been consistent in every sense.

"But we know that this won't be an easy match, it never is. Both teams have players that can change any game."

Barca head to the capital in impressive form, winning six of seven matches in all competitions since suffering their last defeat, while outscoring their opponents by a combined 18-3 during that run.

Real, meanwhile, are looking to recover from their first defeat of the season after going down 3-2 at Sevilla just before the international break.

In total, the sides have faced each other 170 times in the Primera Division, with Real winning 71 and losing 67.

For the second time this season, Real coach Benitez will have all of his players available for selection, and that includes goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

A muscle injury forced the Costa Rica international, who has kept six clean sheets in nine league games for Los Blancos, to miss the team's loss at Sevilla.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is Real's leading scorer with eight goals, has failed to find the back of the net in his team's last two games and he will lead their attack alongside Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Benzema has recovered from a muscular problem while Bale, who missed four games with a calf problem before returning to action at Sevilla, is looking forward to the match.

"I'm ready for battle," the Welsh forward said on his club's official website. "I'm certain you'll see an attacking game from both teams.

"It will be an even contest. It's always tough against them, but fingers crossed we're able to get more goals than them."