Injured Messi in squad to face Rubin Kazan: club

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been named to the squad to travel to Russia for the Champions League match at Rubin Kazan on Wednesday, more than a week after being sidelined with an ankle injury.

The Argentine striker was stretchered off in the final minute of the September 19 league match against Atletico Madrid following a robust tackle from Czech defender Tomasz Ujfalusi.

He has missed Barca’s last two league matches after suffering ligament damage to his ankle.

Messi, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, returned to training on Friday, but apart from the first-team squad. He has still not yet been given the all-clear by medics.

But on Monday he was in the 19-man squad announced by coach Pep Guardiola for Wednesday’s match in Russia.

Also traveling will be French defender Eric Abidal, who was allowed to miss Barca’s last three matches for personal reasons.

Barcelona tops the Champions League Group D after thrashing Greek side Panathinaikos 5-1 in their opening match at the Camp Nou.

Rubin pulled off a famous 2-1 away win over Barcelona in last year’s tournament.