Barcelona: Quique Setien Reveals Plan For Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi In Return

Quique Setien has revealed his blueprint for Barcelona’s return to action on Saturday against Real Mallorca, including his plans to take a cautious approach to Luis Suarez's playing time. Although he intends to start his prized striker, the 61-year-old says “it would be reckless” to immediately put the Uruguayan into an extensive run as he maintained that his team is fine with Lionel Messi expected to be at 100% come game time.

"Luis Suarez could play from the start, but I find it reckless to make him play the whole game," Setien told Tot Costa, via Barca Blaugranes.

Suarez went under the knife in January to fix a right knee injury. Prior to the surgery, his last appearance was in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid.

After four months of recovery, the 33-year-old veteran footballer came back to training early in May and was given the green light to return by Barcelona’s medical services just in time for their preparation for La Liga’s restart, which is scheduled for Thursday.

“After more than four months out due to injury, the Uruguayan is now ready to return for the final part of the season. Suárez returned to training at the beginning of May and his return is good news for coach Quique Setién as it means he will have the striker available for the delayed final phase of the campaign with silverware at stake,” a statement from Barca’s official website read.

Setien had been agonized by health issues to his star players, which also include Lionel Messi’s right quad injury that forced the club’s star captain to miss several training schedules ahead of their comeback.

Despite all these concerns, “El Maestro” stays defiant, saying he has “no doubt” that his dynamic duo will be ready to lead pack anew for Barca, just as he expects the rest of his squad to be ready.

"It's not just Messi - other players haven't trained because they've had niggles," Setien told Movistar, via Goal. "It's happened to lots of them.

"Leo has a cramp that's not hugely significant. I think he's perfectly fine and he won't have any problems. It's the same for any other player. We'll see how the league goes and what circumstances come up.”

Messi (19) and Suarez (11) have combined for 30 goals this season to lead Barcelona at the top of La Liga with 58 points.