Barcelona will be without the services of Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo for Sunday evening's La Liga contest with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Pedri and Dembele unavailable for selection due to hamstring injuries, while Araujo is suspended due to the red card that he picked up in last weekend's 1-0 win over Valencia.

However, the Catalan outfit have been handed a huge injury boost for this match, with leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski back in the squad after recovering from injury.

Lewandowski, who has struck 25 goals in all competitions this season, has missed Barcelona's last two matches with the hamstring issue that he suffered against Almeria on February 26.

"He is doing very well. He has been training with the group since Thursday. He is feeling very well. He is an example of involvement and commitment. He always wants to play," Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"He is differential and has changed the mentality of the team. It has been very good for us that he came.

"He is a vital addition. And even more so in matches like this, when they will press us up top. It is essential to have Robert and he is doing well."

Xavi was also asked about Pedri and Dembele, with the Barcelona head coach unsure when the duo would be available for selection once again.

"We have to wait, they train separately and we will see their feelings," he added.

Xavi, meanwhile, admitted that his side would be weaker without Araujo on Sunday, with the central defender "a very important loss" for the Catalan outfit.

"It's a very important loss. Even more so on these grounds, with so much intensity, high pressure, crosses down the flank. We will miss him, but we have enough alternatives so that it won't be noticed," he said.

"Athletic is a physically strong team that plays with its fans and its way of playing is clear. It will be a tough game. This is one of the toughest games left and we have to match their intensity.

"The moment of truth arrives, where the titles are decided and we have to show our faces. We have to win. Tomorrow we have a huge war on our hands. The pitch will be packed with a team that doesn't mess around. We have to save the war and then we'll think about the Clasico. These weeks before the break are key."

Barcelona are currently nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Barcelona squad vs. Athletic Bilbao:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Gavi, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Torre; Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha, Alarcon body check tags ::