La Liga Preview: Osasuna - Barcelona

Thierry Henry could return to Barcelona's starting XI when the Primera Division leaders visit Osasuna.

Henry was injured in France's World Cup qualifier against Austria earlier this month but has now made a full recovery.

However, the former Arsenal striker has failed to find his best form this season and may have to wait for his chance.

In his absence, Andres Iniesta has deputised with aplomb on Barca's left flank and youngster Pedro also staked his claim for a place in the side with both goals as Barca beat Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.

That took the Tenerife-born forward's tally to six for the season while Henry is yet to score after bagging an impressive 26 goals last season.

However, coach Pep Guardiola is sure the 32-year-old will respond to his critics.

"Henry will shut many people up again, he is a player on another level," Guardiola said.

"He will be there for us at the business end of the season.

"Pedro has a lot to learn to reach Henry's level; he has done everything in football, he has given us so much and has a lot more to give us."

Captain Carles Puyol was rested for the midweek cup game but is set to return on Saturday.

Puyol signed a new contract last weekend and fellow central defender Rafa Marquez is also close to agreeing a new deal.

Gabi Milito and Dani Alves miss out through injury but Guardiola will have an otherwise full-strength squad to choose from in Pamplona.

Barcelona recovered from their recent dip in form to thrash Zaragoza 6-1 at the Nou Camp last weekend.

The Catalans looked back to their brilliant best but Guardiola has warned his side that they face a tough battle tomorrow night.

"Osasuna will ask us a lot of questions, they play at a fast rhythm and are difficult to stop," he said.

"The full-backs are very aggressive, (Carlos) Aranda and (Walter) Pandiani are playing well, (Javier) Camunas and Juanfran (Torres) are very crafty, very direct, they can hurt you."

Barca won 3-2 at the Reyno de Navarra last season, but had to come back from 2-0 down late on.

They lead the Primera Division by three points from fierce rivals Real Madrid after eight rounds of the championship.

Osasuna have made a decent start to the new season, winning three and drawing two of their first eight matches to lie in mid-table.

And coach Jose Antonio Camacho says Barca will be in for a difficult game tomorrow.

"Barca are going to have a tough match here and they know it," he said. "To beat Barcelona any team needs a lot of hard work and a lot of luck.

"But they have weak points and we will try to exploit them."

Ludovic Delporte and Jokin Esparza miss out but Roversio, Aranda and Masoud Shojaei have all recovered from injury and could feature.

 Guardiola will have the following 18 men to choose from to face the Aragons:

Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes, Pinto

Defenders: Pique, Puyol, Chygrynskiy, Rafa Marquez, Abidal, Maxwell

Midfielders: Xavi, Toure Yaya, Busquets, Keita, Jeffren, Iniesta

Forwards: Messi, Pedro, Ibrahimovic, henry

 

Valdes – Puyol, Pique, Chygrynskiy, Abidal – Keita, Xavi, Busquets – Messi, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta