<
>

Samuel Umtiti in Barcelona squad for Hercules; Messi, Neymar, Suarez out

Samuel Umtiti returns to a Barcelona squad which is without Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez for Wednesday's Copa del Rey game against Hercules.

Umtiti, 23, injured his hamstring while with France earlier this month but came through Tuesday's training session with Barcelona unscathed.

Barca's medical team have since given the defender the green light to return to action and Luis Enrique has included him in a heavily rotated squad for the round-of-32 first-leg clash in Alicante.

Andres Iniesta would also have been included, the Blaugrana coach said on Tuesday, but the club captain is suspended along with Javier Mascherano.

Instead, Luis Enrique has included five Barcelona B players in his 16-man squad, with Andre Gomes and Sergi Roberto the only players who started Sunday's 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad not to be given the day off.

Arda Turan returns from a fever and should start alongside Aleix Vidal, Rafinha and Paco Alcacer, who is still seeking his first Barca goal since joining from Valencia for €30 million in the summer.

Luis Enrique is also likely to give minutes to Carles Alena, Alex Carbonell, Nili, Borja Lopez and Marc Cardona -- Marlon Santos is a last-minute omission -- as he reserves his stars for Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid.

Barca are obliged to have at least seven first-team players on the pitch at all times.

Barcelona squad: Cillessen, Masip, Denis Suarez, Arda, Rafinha, Paco Alcacer, Digne, Sergi Roberto, Andre Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Umtiti, Alena, Carbonell, Nili, Borja Lopez, Cardona.