Fri Apr 11 18:06:41 2008

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Barcelona welcomes Messi back against Recreativo

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Andalusia, Spain (Sports Network) - Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who has been out injured since early March, will rejoin the team for Saturday's La Liga match against Recreativo.

Since Messi last played against Atletico Madrid, a 4-2 loss, Barcelona has two wins, two ties and one loss in league play.

The Argentine star gives Barcelona hope it can overcome a seven-point deficit in the league with just seven games remaining. Real Madrid leads the league.

Messi has nine goals and eight assists in just 22 matches this season.

In addition to Messi's return, Barcelona has some momentum thanks to Tuesday's 1-0 win over Schalke in the Champions League. Barcelona won both games 1-0 to advance to semifinals to face Manchester United.

Overcoming the deficit over the final weeks of the season won't be easy but if Barcelona can inch a little closer to Real Madrid before next month, the teams meet on May 7.

Barcelona's Yaya Toure is convinced the league title is still up for grabs.

"We want to win the seven games we have left and we are concentrating hard," he said, "with a lot of enthusiasm and determination after beating Schalke."

How much Messi plays, if at all, is unknown. And Barcelona has other concerns with strikers Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic, and Andres Iniesta ruled out with injuries.

Following the clash against Schalke, six first-team players missed practice in the next session. Gianluca Zambrotta and Xavi are also nursing injuries.

Even with all those concerns, just having Messi back will provide a big boost. He scored in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Recreativo on Nov. 24.

Also Saturday, Valencia hosts Racing.

On Sunday, Espanyol hosts Osasuna, Deportivo hosts Athletic Bilbao, Almeria hosts Villarreal, Real Madrid hosts Real Murcia, Real Betis hosts Levante, Real Valladolid hosts Atletico Madrid, Mallorca hosts Sevilla and Getafe hosts Real Zaragoza.