Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has revealed that Lionel Messi is 'feeling good' in the build-up to the first El Clasico of the season on Saturday.
Messi has been sidelined since September 26 due to a knee injury, but is in contention to make his return against fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, although he is expected to start on the bench.
Despite the Argentine's absence, Barca sit three points clear of Madrid going into the crunch match, and Suarez believes that they have coped with the loss of Messi well.
"The coach will make the decision whether Messi plays or not. He has been training with the squad and he has a good feeling but we have to wait and see. We know that Messi can change a game at any time and he is above the rest," Suarez told reporters.
"We are happy with the job we have done so far despite being without the best player in the world. We have done a good job without Messi on the pitch. To arrive at the Bernabeu stadium with a three-point advantage over Real is great. I don't know if we are favourites but Real is always Real and we know what they can do so must be very focused. We hope we can win this game.
"We are in good form and eager to bring back a victory. But winning and taking a six-point advantage over Real Madrid in the month of November does not mean we are guaranteed to win the title. There is still a long way to go before the end of the season. We cannot forget that Atletico Madrid will also be fighting for the title."
Suarez and strike partner Neymar have accounted for 20 of Barcelona's 23 goals since Messi was ruled out through injury.
Barney Corkhill
