Barcelona team news: Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan miss training ahead of Athletic Bilbao match
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique faces a new selection dilemma ahead of the forthcoming games against Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid after the club revealed both Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan missed the Monday's training session with fevers. Neymar, nevertheless, is expected to be in the squad after the Brazil international missed the 2-1 La Liga victory over Malaga with a minor knock in his hamstring.
The Champions League winners host the Basque side in the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night (27 January) after they secured a 2-1 victory at San Mames last week. Then the Catalans have another home clash with Atletico Madrid on 30 January, which could be decisive in their battle for La Liga, with Barcelona currently leading the table with the same points tally but one game in hand after Diego Simeone's were held to a goalless draw in their weekend encounter with Sevilla.
Busquets and Turan helped shape Luis Enrique's midfield in the win over Malaga, with Neymar missing the match due to injuries and Gerard Pique also out due to suspension.
But while the Brazil international and the Spanish centre-back are expected to be back for the Copa del Rey quarter final, Luis Enrique may be without the first pair.
The Catalans have revealed in an official statement that both Busquets and Turan missed the Monday training session due to illness, failing to set a deadline for their recoveries but putting in doubt the duo's participation against the Basque outfit.
"Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan both missed Monday's workout due to fever, as squad prepares for visit of Athletic Bilbao," the club confirmed.
Should the duo fail to recover in time for the game. Luis Enrique may hand Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto a chance in the starting line-up. Javier Mascherano is also as an option if Pique returns to the heart of the defence alongside either Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen or Marc Bartra. Jordi Alba, meanwhile, remains a doubt after missing the last two games.
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