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The thinning ranks of defenders finally received a solid reinforcement - Gerard Pique, who has recovered from a foot injury, returns to the lineup.
On Monday, the medical staff of the Catalan team checked the player's health one last time and allowed him to play at full strength. The defender has been included in the team's application for the UEFA Champions League fourth round match against Celtic in Glasgow on Wednesday.
Due to injuries, the team captain Carles Puyol, who is recovering from an elbow dislocation, as well as defender Marc Muniesa, Eric Abidal, and Adriano Correia who injured his thigh muscle during the weekend Primera league match against Celta Vigo, will not be able to help Barca. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara is also sidelined.
The match against Celtic will be missed by Sergio Busquets, who received a red card in the duel with Benfica, resulting in a two-game suspension.
Two youth academy players - goalkeeper Oier Olazabal and defender Sergi Roberto - have also been included in the preliminary team application.
