Youngsters Guiu, Fort and Unai in line for Barça first-team call-up

Marc Guiu, Héctor Fort and Unai Hernández are in line for the Barcelona vs. Athletic Club game this Sunday. Barring an unexpected twist in the script, all three will be included in Xavi's squad, so they could have the chance to play their first official minutes with the first team.

Jules Kounde, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha and Lewandowski are all not available, which has forced Xavi to look elsewhere this weekend.

Marc Guiu and Unai Hernández will be called up for the second time this season, although neither of them were able to make their debuts in the first. Guiu went to Granada two weeks ago, while Unai was included in the Barça-Betis squad.

Héctor Fort, a solid right-back who has been performing at a high level with the reserve team so far this season, will be making his first appearance in the squad.

Fort's call-up is understood as a full-back, as Sergi Roberto is injured. In addition, Kounde is also unavailable, so Ronald Araujo is required in the centre.

The coaches like Unai a lot and are looking for dynamism in the final third, while the call-up of Guiu responds to the lack of firepower up front without Lewandowski and Raphinha.

All three trained under Xavi's orders on Friday and will do so again this Saturday. It will be then, unless there is a change of plan, that they will all be officially called up.