Messi ready for return to Barca line-up

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino could put
Lionel Messi back into the starting lineup for the
King's Cup game against Getafe on Thursday as
he continues to ease him back from injury.
The Argentine forward suffered a series of
hamstring strains last year and Barca have tried
to ensure he is not only fit, but strong enough
to be a decisive influence in the key games
towards the end of the season.
He was introduced as a substitute for the top-
of-the-table clash against Atletico Madrid on
Saturday which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Now, with Barca leading 4-0 from their home leg
in the King's Cup Last 16 tie against Getafe,
Martino believes it would be a good moment to
give the four-times World Player of the Year a
longer run-out.
"We have obviously talked it over and I have
asked him how he feels," he told a news
conference on Wednesday.
"The situation is now different from last week as
he has had a serious of solid training sessions.
He is looking strong in training and now he has
more possibilities to start because he has more
possibilities to be able to finish the match,"
Martino added.
"It would not be wise to put Messi or any other
player at risk and we don't think there is a risk.
We are trying to create the situation so that
when he starts that he is in top condition.
"In the last two games he has come in during
the second half and he has looked strong. This is
a good opportunity but we will decide if it is
right for him to start."
Barca travel without the injured Andres Iniesta
while Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are rested
and have remained behind in Catalonia.
"The aim is to be well placed at the end of the
season and clearly at Barcelona it is necessary
to have titles because Barca has done it year
after year," Martino said.
"Coaches plan ahead and I think we are doing
well. There is a lot to learn at the club with the
players, other people at the club and what
Barca means (as an institution)."
"We have footballers with a lot of ability who are
capable of winning matches in different types of
circumstances. Above all they have never tired
of winning and keep going. If you have players
like that then your aims are a lot easier."