Dembele to make Barcelona return in Copa del Rey tie
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are out of Barcelona's squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey tie, but record signing Ousmane Dembele returns.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Five times a week
FourFourTwo Daily
Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.
Once a week
...And it’s LIVE!
Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Ousmane Dembele could make his first Barcelona appearance since September after being named in the matchday squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey tie against Celta Vigo.
Dembele - a €105million August arrival from Borussia Dortmund - has not played for Barca since tearing his hamstring on his third appearance for the club, against Getafe in LaLiga.
However, the France star is among the substitutes in what is a welcome boost to head coach Ernesto Valverde's attacking ranks.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have both been rested, with captain Andres Iniesta among the other players who did not travel, while Paco Alcacer and Samuel Umtiti are injured.
Jose Arnaiz is given a chance to impress in an attacking role in the absence of Messi, Suarez and Alcacer.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is rested with Jasper Cillessen handed a start between the posts, while fringe players Denis Suarez, Lucas Digne, Aleix Vidal and Andre Gomes all start.
Ter Stegen joins Dembele on the bench, as do Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Barça XI [Celta vs Barça]January 4, 2018
