Luis Enrique: 'Lionel Messi could still make El Clasico'

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has revealed that Lionel Messi could yet be fit to face Real Madrid in El Clasico after the international break.

Messi has been out of action since suffering a cruciate ligament injury towards the end of September, but is believed to have made solid progress in terms of his recovery in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old had been penciled in to return for the clash with Real Madrid on November 21, but a recent report claimed that the Argentine was struggling to make that deadline.

Enrique, however, speaking after his team's 3-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday, has hinted that his star player could still make the key clash.

"[Messi's] still in the recovery process. He only has two weeks left [and will be back] either before or after the game against Real Madrid," Enrique told reporters.

Barcelona will enter El Clasico with a three-point lead at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Sevilla in Week 11's final fixture.