Xavi insists Barcelona can cope without defensive pair Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.

Both defenders face a race against time to be fit to meet Real Madrid on October 7.

Xavi told the club's official website: "All of the players that have picked up injuries are important. Puyol and Pique without a doubt are very important, but the team is big enough to cope with their absences.

"We're focusing on Saturday's match (against Granada). Before the Clasico there are two more league games and another Champions League fixture.

"It's clear that it would be good to get them (Puyol and Pique) back before the Clasico, but we have a good team.

"(Sergio) Busquets, (Alex) Song, who played a good game (against Spartak), (Javier) Mascherano...all of them can play in the centre-back position."