Barcelona vs. Deportivo: Team News, Preview, Live-Stream, TV Info

Lionel Messi is back in training, although he's yet to be declared fit for Barcelona's match against Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Barca need Messi, as they sit in fourth, two points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid. Atleti could be second by the time they host Granada later in the day, but it will depend on Barcelona's ability to win for only the second time in their last four league outings.

The defending champions were beaten 4-3 by Celta Vigo last time out and are probably still ruing the 1-1 home draw with Atletico in late September.

Before a preview, the schedule and viewing details.

Date: Saturday, October 15

Time: 3:15 p.m. (BST) / 10:15 a.m. (ET)

TV: beIN Sports

Live Stream: BeINSports Connect.

Preview

Messi isn't the only player who could return for the champions on Saturday. French centre-back Samuel Umtiti is also back in training.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

However, both are doubts for the match with Depor, according to a club statement (h/t Sky Sports): "Both Leo Messi and Samuel Umtiti, despite neither yet being declared fit for selection as they battle to recover from injury, were able to join the rest of the team for the workout."

It's obvious what Messi's return would mean. Namely, a guarantee of extra goals and creativity. Normally, Barca aren't short in those areas—even without the great man. Not when Luis Suarez and Neymar are available.

Yet the latter has come in for some criticism lately. In particular, Bolivia defender Yasmani Duk chided the forward for his attitude during Brazil's recent 5-0 win against his country, per Spanish publication AS (h/t Paul Vinnell of Sky Sports).

Duk left Neymar bloodied after a collision but still labelled the attacker "cocky" and suggested he's too shy about the physical aspects of the game. The Bolivian called on Neymar to "start showing some respect for his opponents."

Regardless of his critics, Neymar is in fine form in Spain's top flight. He's scored four times and provided an assist in five league matches this term, per WhoScored.com. The onus will be on the Brazilian to make sure Messi isn't missed.

Manager Luis Enrique might be able to get by without his free-scoring No. 10, but he'd surely love to have Umtiti back in defence. After all, Barca have conceded six times in their last four matches across all competitions.

It doesn't help when goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and full-backs Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto are doubts, according to ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden. Enrique will need to reshuffle, a necessity that could mean left-back Lucas Digne gets a start. Perhaps Javier Mascherano might come into the middle in place of Jeremy Mathieu, who scored an own goal in Vigo.

However, Enrique's toughest choice might be whether to play Aleix Vidal. The right-back has been linked with a move away, per Marca's Ramiro Aldunate.

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

The Barca manager won't have to worry about his back four if his talented midfield bosses the possession battle. Depor have some quality of their own in that department, particularly the partnership of Pedro Mosquera and Celso Borges.

Still, few teams can match Barca's resources in the middle. Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez were in the summer added to a group that already featured Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan.

This collection of pass-masters and playmakers will guide the reigning champions to another three points on Saturday, with or without Messi.