Ernesto Valverde has revealed that Samuel Umtiti is back in contention for Barcelona’s clash with Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening.

Umtiti is available after a near two-month absence with a knee injury, meaning Valverde must decide whether to break up the centre-back partnership between Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique.

A shock 4-3 defeat at home to Real Betis just before the international break could make his decision easier but Valverde was coy when asked about whether there was a place for Umtiti in his starting XI.

He added: “Having another centre back available is positive, but we’ve also performed very well when we’ve only had two players available in this position.”

Philippe Coutinho may start after returning to training earlier this week following two weeks out with a thigh injury.

Fellow midfielder Ivan Rakitic misses out through suspension after his red card against Betis, with Arturo Vidal poised to step in.