Barca set to be without Messi

Lionel Messi looks set to miss Barcelona's Copa del Rey encounter against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday due to a niggle.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was replaced with a right-thigh injury at half-time during Sunday's La Liga match against the same opposition and underwent tests on Monday.

Barcelona have confirmed that he only "took a bit of a knock" and has "slight discomfort".

Although the defending Copa del Rey champions haven't yet ruled Messi out of their quarter-final first leg in the Basque country, manager Luis Enrique has made it clear he doesn't want to risk any injured players.

Barca will also be without Luis Suarez as the Uruguayan is suspended for two cup games for provoking Espanyol players after the final whistle of their last-16 match.

The striker was implicated in the referee's post-match report and was handed a retrospective ban by the Spanish Football Federation, but his club have appealed against the ruling with Suarez saying his "conscience is clear".