Barça are recovering missing players. They are going to Mestalla with the now fully recovered Xavi Hernàndez, who had damaged tissue in his left soleus muscle against Bilbao, and also Dani Alves, who has served his one-match suspension.

The injured Carles Puyol, Víctor Valdés and Jeffren are still absent, and the lack of the first-choice keeper means young Rubén Miño will be in the squad as cover for Pinto.

Training without Guardiola

The players gathered for training today on pitch number 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, and the eighteen were joined on the field by Jeffren, who is well on the road to recovery and was able to join in with the mainly ball-based session. Nolito also joined the first team, as he is suspended for the forthcoming Barça B match with Cordoba.

Pep Guardiola was the main absentee. He has been struggling with lower back pain for the last two weeks, and today the matter had worsened.