Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says Lionel Messi will be fit for the derby with Espanyol.

Messi returned with a slight injury after the international break, but Valverde is confident that he'll be ready to go at the weekend.

"We think he's 100 percent," he said.

"He's been carrying a discomfort for a while, but we're trying to get him back.

"He had a few days of rest.

"We will be careful with him because he is vital for the rest of the season.

"He has a small problem yesterday, but we're all connected.

"I speak with him to see how he is, just as I do with all the players."