Two Barcelona defenders could return from injury against Rayo Vallecano

Following their hard-fought win against Real Sociedad, Barcelona had cause for concern with their defensive line, considering Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Dani Alves all had to be subbed off.

Luckily for the Catalans, reprieve could be on the horizon, as Mundo Deportivo are now reporting that Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti are set to receive medical clearances this Saturday, right on time for the clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona are in the heat of a very tough battle to round out the top four in La Liga, after all, but dropping out of the title race against Real Madrid, even though it is mathematically possible.

The clash against Rayo will be key. While the injuries to the trio against Real Sociedad are reportedly not too serious, Araujo will still be out for at least a week, and being cautious Pique and Alves would be wise.

Thus, Roberto and Umtiti could be called on by Xavi immediately against Rayo. The former will play for the first time since December, and after undergoing surgery for a femoral rupture in his right leg in January.

Umtiti, meanwhile, will also appear for the first time since December after a fracture in his metatarsal. Both players have also fallen slightly out of favour in recent times.

Their return is at the perfect time for them to be able to prove themselves in the regular choices’ absences.