FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.07.2008 11:03

A special day for the five new arrivals

Marc Guillén

FC Barcelona's five summer signings are expected to make their debuts for the club in the friendly encounters against Hibernian and Dundee United in Scotland this week.

Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Martín Cáceres, Seydou Keita and Aliaksandr Hleb are all set o be given a few minutes each in the game against the Edinburgh-based outfit (20:45, Barça TV and Barça TV Online).

Provisional numbers

The two games against Hibs and Dundee United will see the five newcomers given their first taste of first-team action in a Blaugrana shirt with the first game coming on Thursday and the second on Saturday.

In both games the new faces will done provisional numbers as none of the squad have had their squad numbers confirmed for the new campaign, but it should indicate what they will choose.

Gaining confidence

It is predicted that all the playrs will play a part of the game in order not to become overly tired. All the new arrivals have expressed their desire to make their debuts and will ensure that they are ready with a brief training session on the morning of the games.

Hleb stated on Wednesday that the match against Hibs was important because it would give everyone a chance to gain some confidence, but what is vital is that none of the players pick up injuries.