Luis Enrique 'not prepared to risk Lionel Messi'

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has insisted that Lionel Messi will not face Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday night unless the Argentine has fully recovered from a groin problem.

Messi picked up the injury during the recent international break and the Argentine was only a substitute in Barcelona's shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves in La Liga at the weekend.

It had been thought that the forward would return to the starting XI this week after appearing off the bench at the weekend, but Enrique has said that he will not take any unnecessary risks when it comes to the 29-year-old.

"Messi, I would like him to play every single minute. He would like that as well. But it is about what the player is feeling here, what he feels in his leg. On Tuesday we will see if he can play many minutes. It is how well his legs are that will dictate how much he can play," Enrique told reporters.

Messi has scored three times in five appearances for Barcelona this season.