Josep Maria Bartomeu hopeful Lionel Messi will play for Barcelona in El Clasico

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has hinted that Lionel Messi could return from injury to play in El Clasico later this month.

Barca travel to face La Liga rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on November 21 after the current international break, with three points separating the two at the top of the table after Madrid's 3-2 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday.

Messi, Barca's all-time record goalscorer, has been out of action since tearing a knee ligament in September.

When asked if he expects the Argentine forward to feature, Bartomeu told Marca: "I hope he can play. He is recovering within the time frame that we set out."

Barcelona are on a four-game winning streak in La Liga and possess the division's top scorer in Neymar, who has 11 goals in 10 appearances.