Barcelona team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Alaves

Xavi announced after the 5-3 loss to Villarreal last weekend that he will be standing down as head coach of the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The reigning champions managed to return to winning ways on Wednesday evening, though, beating Osasuna 1-0 on home soil, with the result leaving them fourth in the La Liga table, eight points behind leaders Girona.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Barcelona's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Alaves, who have risen into 11th position due to their strong form.

Alejandro Balde

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Balde is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines, having had an operation on the hamstring injury that he picked up against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey last month.

Sergi Roberto

Status: Out

Type of injury: Achilles

Possible return date: Unknown

Roberto has recently joined the injury list at Barcelona, with the Spaniard expected to be unavailable for the next couple of weeks due to an Achilles problem.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Status: Out

Type of injury: Back

Possible return date: Unknown

Ter Stegen had to withdraw from the Germany squad over the November international break due to a back problem, and he has since undergone an operation which will keep him out until at least March.

Gavi

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Gavi suffered an ACL injury while representing Spain over the November international break, and the midfielder is now set to be missing for the remainder of the campaign.

Marcos Alonso

Status: Out

Type of injury: Back

Possible return date: Unknown

Alonso was recently forced to undergo an operation on a troublesome back problem, and he will not be available until at least the middle of March.

Inigo Martinez

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: February 3 (vs. Alaves)

Martinez had only just returned from a hamstring issue before suffering a setback against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey earlier this month, but the centre-back is back in team training and could return here.

Raphinha

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Raphinha suffered a thigh injury during Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup semi-final with Osasuna last month, and the Brazil international remains unavailable for selection.

Ferran Torres

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Barcelona will be without the services of Torres for at least the next five weeks, with the attacker damaging his thigh in the 1-0 win over Osasuna last time out.

Joao Felix

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

Felix missed out against Osasuna due to an ankle problem which he suffered in training, and the Portugal international is set to be absent until at least the end of the month.

BARCELONA'S SUSPENSION LIST

Barcelona have no players suspended for this match.