Roura, Barca wait on Messi fitness

Barcelona’s Jordi Roura says Lionel Messi is unlikely to face Mallorca on Saturday but remains in contention to play Paris Saint-Germain.

A hamstring problem forced Messi to be withdrawn at half-time in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with PSG in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

The Argentina forward has been receiving specialist treatment aimed at making him available for the return fixture at Camp Nou next Wednesday.

But Barca’s assistant coach Roura remains uncertain if Messi will recover in time to play PSG, and all but ruled him out of the Liga game at home to Mallorca.

“It’s difficult to say,” Roura said when asked about the star man’s fitness.

“We’ll see what state he’s in by Wednesday. For the game tomorrow, logically, his chances are low.”

While progression in the Champions League is a major objective for Barca, Roura said the club will not be neglecting their domestic title challenge when it comes to picking the team to play Mallorca.

“Clearly, we have to try to find the balance (with rotation),” he said.

“I’ve always said, and this is no exception, that La Liga is very important to us.

“We have to be focused on the match tomorrow.”