Xavi boosts Barca for Copenhagen trip

The Spain international featured in only the last 20 minutes of Barca's 2-0 win over Copenhagen at the Nou Camp last month, and has been suffering from Achilles tendon trouble.

But the 30-year-old started in Saturday's 5-0 La Liga rout of Sevilla, and told reporters on Sunday: "I felt almost 100 percent again.

"It's not the same as before, which was unbearable. I am optimistic I'll be able to carry on taking part in each match but the pain will dictate."

"The guys had an opportunity to find out what it's like to fight hard for the win in the final minutes," he told reporters. "We haven't had to do it too often this season, so this is something we can take with us."

Free-scoring forward Cesar Santin, who missed Saturday's win, told Denmark's TV2 that he expects to be fully fit for the Barca game.

"By Tuesday I'll be 100 percent ready," said Santin, who injured his ankle against Silkeborg and has 10 Danish league goals this season.

FC Copenhagen: 21-Johan Wiland; 15-Mikael Antonsson, 25-Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, 17-Oscar Wendt, 2-Zdenek Popsech; 6-Claudemir De Souza, 8-William Kvist, 20-Martin Vingaard, 10-Jesper Gronkjaer; 11-Cesar Santin, 14-Dame N'Doye.