Messi, Suarez, Neymar set to start
Posted Tuesday, January 05, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com
Barcelona will be without Sergi Roberto for the first leg of their Copa dely Rey match against Espanyol, but Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are expected to start.
Midfielder Roberto only played 20 minutes in Saturday's La Liga clash against Catalan neighbours Espanyol, but he picked up a muscle injury in his right thigh and Barca's medical staff have confirmed he will miss the game.
Manager Luis Enrique has no further injury concerns, but he is likely to make a couple of changes with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as well as defenders Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba likely to be rested.
New signings Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan, who are finally registered after the Fifa-imposed ban came to an end, are likely to make their debuts while the front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar have plenty to prove.
The trio failed to find the back of the net during the goalless draw at Cornella-El Prat.
Espanyol, who beat Levante 3-2 on aggregate in the last 32, will be without midfielder Jose Canas, who is nursing a broken toe, while defender Anaitz Arbilla has an Achilles injury.
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