Arda Turan returns to injury-plagued Barcelona squad ahead of Manchester City clash

Barcelona have travelled to England ahead of their Champions League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday night (1 November) without five injured players but the presence of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the travelling squad. Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Jeremy Mathieu and out-of-favour Aleix Vidal remain on the Catalan's treatment table but Arda Turan returns to the list after missing the weekend 1-0 victory over Granada due to an ankle injury.

Luis Enrique has been forced to include three youngster from the second team in Marlon Santos, Carles Aleña and Nili to complete his 20-man squad. Yet, the first one left his passport at home and will have to travel to Manchester on his own in a later flight.

The absences of Pique, Alba and Iniesta are three major concerns for Luis Enrique as the trio are immovable in his starting line-up when they are fit.

Summer signing Samuel Umtiti is ready to cover the absence of the former one in the heart of the back-line alongside Javier Mascherano while Lucas Digne will take the place of Alba in the left-back, with Sergi Roberto continuing in the right flank.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona boss faces a major dilemma to fill the huge gap left by Iniesta in the middle of the park as all Rafinha Alcantara, Denis Suarez, Andres Gomes and Arda Turan are vying for the position.

The Brazilian international looks the favourite to win that race after excelling in the role during the La Liga victory over Granada, scoring the winner for the Catalan side with his fifth goal of the campaign. However, Turan also has chances to play at the Etihad Stadium as the Turkish international is back available and fresh after missing the weekend game. One way or another Sergio Busquets is tipped to complete the midfield along Ivan Rakitic after the Spaniard was rested against Granada in order to arrive fully fit to the crucial encounter with Manchester City.

Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar will lead the attacking trio as usual while Marc Andre Ter Stegen will remain between the sticks following his impressive performance during the 4-0 victory over Pep Guardiola's side in the first tie played at the Nou Camp earlier this month.

That victory means Barcelona only need a draw in their second encounter with Manchester City to secure the qualification for the last 16 of the competition. Yet, Luis Enrique's pupils are currently top of the group C after having won all their first three games against Celtic, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Guardiola's side.

Yet, City will provide a big test for the La Liga giants as they need all the three points to avoid losing the second place in the table to Mönchengladbach, who sit one point behind them ahead of their tie with Celtic.