Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez Named in Barcelona Squad to Face Elche

Luis Enrique has named Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in his Barcelona squad to face Elche on Thursday night.

The deadly trio are likely to start the round-of-16 Copa del Rey first-leg tie alongside each other, although Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Claudio Bravo are among those to miss out, reported by Barca's official website.

Messi's inclusion is perhaps a surprise after he was dropped for the club's La Liga loss to Real Sociedad. He also skipped training on Monday and followed Chelsea's Instragram account to create a flurry of rumours suggesting he will join Jose Mourinho's Blues, reported by Rajvir Rai of MailOnline.

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The sacking of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta reportedly leaves Enrique "isolated" in the dressing room, amplifying tensions between the manager and senior players, per Paul Brown of the Daily Star. Neymar is said to have intervened when Messi and Enrique "nearly came to blows" on the training pitch, per Marca (h/t 101 Great Goals).

As for Suarez, all of this commotion has stirred up rumours he could head back to the Premier League.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal are said to be "keeping tabs" on the player who has scored just three goals this season, per Neil Ashton of The Daily Mail. Although an unlikely rumour, continued troubles at Barca indicate nothing should come as a surprise with the Camp Nou club.

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All three players will be confident of entertaining the home crowd when Elche arrive and putting their opponents to the sword before the second leg begins.