Koke wary of Lionel Messi

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke has admitted that the capital outfit will have to be wary of Lionel Messi when Barcelona make the trip to the Vicente Calderon at the weekend.

Messi has not featured since injuring his thigh in a league clash against Real Betis in November, but is expected to return to action in Barca's Copa del Rey last-16 clash with Getafe this evening.

Koke has refused to play down the importance of Messi to Barcelona's chances, while he also picked out Neymar as a threat to his side on Saturday evening.

"I don't know if Messi will be playing or not. If he does, we know that he's the best player in the world. They have a number of the best. Messi, Neymar and others," he told reporters at a press conference.

Atletico and Barcelona have both taken 49 points from 18 league games this season.