How Barcelona could line up against Unionistas

Barcelona boss Xavi must work around a pair of suspensions for Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 affair with Unionistas at Renia Sofia.

The Blaugrana will battle the third-tier side without Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal, the former of whom was sent off for two bookable offences in Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final defeat to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Yamal is serving the second of a two-game cup ban which he incurred at youth level, as the duo join Gavi (ACL), Marcos Alonso (back), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Raphinha (hamstring) and Inigo Martinez (hamstring) on the sidelines.

In addition, the knee injury which ruled Joao Cancelo out of the Supercopa will not clear up in time for the last-16 contest, and the Portuguese's problem coupled with Araujo's suspension should see Xavi promote 17-year-old Hector Fort to the first XI.

Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should all reprise their roles despite a disastrous defensive display over the weekend, and the same can be said for Ter Stegen's goalkeeping lieutenant Inaki Pena.

Midfield alterations are inevitable, though, as both Fermin Lopez and Oriol Romeu are in line for promotion to the first XI, although Pedri - who lasted just 61 minutes of the Supercopa final - could hold his spot.

Ferran Torres is the most obvious pick on the right-hand side of the attack with Yamal suspended, while Joao Felix ought to return to the starting lineup too, and if Xavi decides that Robert Lewandowski is due a rest, a first Blaugrana start could come the way of Vitor Roque.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Pena; Fort, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Lopez, Romeu, Pedri; Torres, Roque, Felix