Messi boosts Barca in time for Cup clash
Reuters - Monday 04 January 2010, 11:41
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MADRID - Holders Barcelona have top scorer
Lionel Messi back in contention for their King's Cup last 16
first leg at home to Sevilla on Tuesday.
The Argentina forward, who was crowned FIFA World Player of
the Year last month, missed Saturday's 1-1 La Liga draw at home
to Villarreal after being granted an extra few days holiday over
the winter break.
The La Liga leaders take on the 2007 Cup winners for the
first of three clashes between the sides in 12 days. Sevilla,
who have slipped to fifth in the standings, return to the Nou
Camp after next week's second leg.
The Andalucians have lost their last two games and have been
hit by a string of injuries to key players such as Brazil
striker Luis Fabiano.
Like Barca, who have lost midfielders Seydou Keita and Yaya
Toure to the African Nations Cup, Sevilla are also deprived of
Mali striker Frederic Kanoute and Ivory Coast's Didier Zokora.
"They are a dangerous team whatever shape they are in,"
Barca reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto told reporters.
"Toure and Keita are fundamental players for us, and I
imagine the players they are losing (to the African Nations Cup)
are important for them as well. It will be an evenly-balanced
tie."
Giantkillers Alcorcon of the Segunda B (third tier), who
dumped Real Madrid out in the last round 4-1 on aggregate,
warmed up for Wednesday's visit of Racing Santander with a 2-1
league win over Real's youth team Castilla on Sunday.
Second division sides Recreativo Huelva and Celta Vigo host
Atletico Madrid and Villarreal respectively on Wednesday, while
La Liga heavyweights Valencia, who lifted the trophy in 2008,
and Deportivo Coruna meet at the Mestalla.
Valencia climbed to third in the league after scrambling a
last-minute winner for a 1-0 home win against Espanyol on
Saturday, and could have midfielder David Silva back in the side
after a month on the sidelines with a knee injury.
On Thursday, second division leaders Hercules are at home to
Osasuna, second division Rayo Vallecano receive in-form Real
Mallorca and struggling Malaga take on Getafe.