Friday 22 April 2016 15:29, UK
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insisted Lionel Messi is likely to start in La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon on Saturday.
The Argentina international suffered a a series of knocks in Barcelona's 8-0 hammering of Deportivo la Coruna in midweek.
"He didn't have much luck with the blows in the game the other day, but he trained today and is in perfect condition," said Enrique.
Fellow forward Luis Suarez led Barca's stunning return to form with four goals and three assists on Wednesday following the team's run of three straight league defeats for the first time in 13 years.
"It is a perfect result which reinforces us and came at a marvellous time," added Enrique.
Only Barca's superior head-to-head record separates them from Atletico Madrid at the top of the table with four games remaining, while Real Madrid are just a point further back in third.
The Catalans appear to have a favourable run-in, but face Sporting, Espanyol and Granada, who are all fighting to avoid relegation.
"We have to continue what we saw against Deportivo in the four games that remain. It will interesting at the top and the bottom," Enrique said
However, Enrique again rejected suggestions that his refusal to rotate the star front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar in particular had been the cause of Barcelona's slump in the past month.
"My decisions depend on what the team needs. I normally make changes if I see the possibility to improve the team or due to tiredness. Last year I rotated a lot and people didn't like it then either."
