Barcelona coach determined not to rush Messi’s return

Argentinian star could return from injury later this week

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has insisted he will not rush Lionel Messi back into action for the Catalans’ top of the table clash against Atletico Madrid next weekend.

Messi hasn’t played since tearing his hamstring against Real Betis in early November and watched on from the stands as Barcelona moved back to the top of La Liga with a 4- 0 win over Elche on Sunday.

However, the Argentine has returned to training and could feature at some point either at home to Getafe in the Copa del Rey tomorrow or three days later against Atletico at the Vicente Calderon.

Martino, though, maintained he will only recall the four- time World Player of the Year once he is fully ready both physically and mentally to return.

“Whether he plays in one of the games this week depends on how he feels,” Martino said. “He has to be ready not just physically but also mentally. What we will never do is play him when he is not ready. We would not risk his fitness, nor the team.

Fifth straight win

We know the importance of the game and how well Atletico are playing ... but that doesn’t change our perspective in only selecting the players who are in the right condition to play the game.”

Martino also rested Neymar from the start against Elche and was rewarded for his faith in Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez as they combined for all four of Barca’s goals, with Sanchez claiming his first hattrick for the club.

“We are in good form but there is still plenty of room for improvement. One bad game can mean you are out of the Champions League or the Copa del Rey.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Real Sociedad recorded their fifth consecutive league win by beating Athletic Bilbao 2- 0.