Celtic vs FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Team News and Match Preview

Lionel Messi is set to return from illness for FC Barcelona ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group C showdown with Celtic at Celtic Park on Wednesday.

Messi was absent at the weekend as, despite playing against nine men, Barca were only able to register a 0-0 draw with Malaga at the Nou Camp and subsequently fell four points behind leaders Real Madrid in LaLiga.

Luis Suarez was also missing through suspension for Luis Enrique's men, who struggled to manage without the full compliment of their envious MSN strike force.

However, the former Liverpool striker will be available for selection once more as he makes his return to the UK.

Having Messi and Suarez back in the ranks will certainly be a boost for the Catalan Giants, who thumped Celtic 7-0 in the reverse fixture on matchday one and will secure their progress to the Last 16 with three points here.

Nevertheless, they will have to make do without the services of Andres Iniesta, Jeremy Mathieu and Samuel Umtiti - all of whom are currently sidelined through injury and have not travelled to Scotland.

Celtic need to win and hope that Manchester City fail to beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the other Group C match in order to have any chance of advancing to the next phase.

Moussa Dembele's penalty in the 1-1 draw with Monchengladbach last time out has given hope to Brendan Rodgers' men, who are waiting on the fitness of star striker Leigh Griffiths.

Last season's top scorer in the Scottish Premiership picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Scotland last week, and missed the 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday as the Hoops maintained their 10-point lead at the summit of the top-flight.

The UEFA Champions League Group C clash at Celtic Park kicks off at 7.45pm GMT on Wednesday.

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