How Paris Saint-Germain could line up against AC Ajaccio

The 35-year-old was handed an initial two-week suspension for taking an unauthorised commercial trip to Saudi Arabia and subsequently missed last weekend's 3-1 win at Troyes.

However, while the rest of Christophe Galtier's squad enjoyed a day off on Monday, Messi made a surprise return to individual training, and it remains to be seen if he will be considered for an early recall to the matchday squad here.

Achraf Hakimi will definitely return from a domestic ban after his red card at Lorient, but all of Nuno Mendes (hamstring), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), Neymar (ankle) and Nordi Mukiele (hamstring) are on the season-ending injury list, while Timothee Pembele's knee issue has rendered him doubtful too.

Gianluigi Donnarumma did not cover himself in glory for Troyes' consolation effort last time out, but the Italian will continue in goal as ever, as Danilo Pereira, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos form the three-man barrier ahead of him.

Warren Zaire-Emery was deployed as a makeshift wing-back at the Stade de l'Aube, but the 16-year-old will drop out upon Hakimi's return, while Juan Bernat continues on the opposite flank.

Renato Sanches made his return from an adductor strain against Troyes, but the Portuguese has little chance of breaking up the trio of Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha and Marco Verratti.

At the time of writing, it is still unclear if Messi will be welcomed back to the squad with open arms, so Hugo Ekitike may feel hopeful of continuing alongside Kylian Mbappe up top.

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Pereira, Marquinhos, Ramos; Hakimi, Ruiz, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; Mbappe, Ekitike