Barcelona welcome key trio back into squad for El Clasico

Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde have all returned to the Barcelona squad for Saturday afternoon's El Clasico.

Barcelona head coach Xavi delayed naming his squad for the clash with Real Madrid in order to fully assess the returning players who participated in training on Friday.

Lewandowski has been out since earlier this month due to an ankle problem, but the Poland international has been deemed fit enough to be included in the squad for the key contest.

Raphinha trained on both Thursday and Friday, with the attacker back from a hamstring issue, and he has also made it for Barcelona.

Last week, there were claims that Kounde could be missing until after the November international break with a knee problem, but he was able to train on Friday and has been named in the squad.

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Pedri and Frenkie de Jong also trained on Friday, with the pair bidding to prove that they have fully recovered from thigh and ankle problems respectively.

However, it was always going to a long shot for the pair to make this match, and neither are in the squad.

Sergi Roberto is Barcelona's other absentee, with the experienced midfielder unavailable for selection due to a calf problem, but he should be able to return early next month.

Lewandowski is being tipped to start, which could mean that Ferran Torres drops to the bench, with Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix potentially operating in the wide areas.

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Felix was viewed as a doubt for this match when he limped off the field during Wednesday's Champions League contest with Shakhtar Donetsk, but he has proved his fitness.

Marc Guiu scored on his debut against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, and he is included once again, while fellow youngsters Pau Cubarsi, Hector Fort and Marc Casado also make it.

Head coach Xavi has big decisions to make all over the field, with Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez and now Kounde battling to start alongside Ronald Araujo in the middle of the defence.

Should Yamal take to the field in El Clasico, he would become the youngest-ever player to feature in the famous fixture, breaking a record which has been held for 82 years.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Madrid

Ter Stegen, Pena, Astralaga; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Christensen, Fort, Kounde, Alonso, Balde, Araujo, I Martinez; Gavi, Casado, F Lopez, Romeu, Gundogan; F Torres, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Felix, Yamal, Guiu