Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has hailed the influence of captain Carles Puyol on their campaign this season.

The versatile Puyol filled in at right-back for the win over Sporting Gijon to cover the absence of the injured Dani Alves and helped Barca record their fifth successive clean sheet in the league and cup.

Guardiola said of the Spain international: "We wouldn't be where we are this season without him.

"He's the player who's performed most often and he's solving a lot of problems."