Neymar could return to action on Saturday as Barcelona seek to avenge their only home defeat of the year with the visit of Malaga.

The Brazilian missed the start of the campaign with illness, having earlier been allowed to skip the start of pre-season training following his participation in this summer’s Copa America championship.

That means Neymar has only played one hour of football in more than two months – in a friendly against Roma – but Luis Enrique is unconcerned.

“Neymar didn’t train for around two weeks,” said the Barca boss, “But he has a really special physique and he gets into shape very quickly. He could play.”

Enrique is also hoping to have Sergio Busquets available following an ankle injury, while midfielder Sergi Roberto is likely to be fielded out of position to replace injured right-back Dani Alves.

Roberto impressed in that role in Bilbao and Enrique backed the previously underused 23-year-old to become a key player, saying: “At the moment Sergi is the perfect wildcard for me.

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"As a defensive midfielder, he plays at a great level. As a central midfielder, a great level. As a full-back, a great level.”

Malaga are the only visiting team to have won at the Nou Camp this year, succeeding where Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and others all failed, by snatching a 1-0 victory in February.

Enrique admitted that Malaga did a great job in limiting Barca but believes it will bear little relation to tonight.

“We were kept a long way from goal,” he said. “We lacked fluidity and did not deserve a positive result. It’s a very attractive challenge but I think it will be different this time.”