Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has played down suggestions that there will be underhand tactics in El Clasico this weekend.

Lionel Messi is expected to return from a serious knee problem at the Bernabeu, while Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is likely to play with a pain-killing injection due to a damaged shoulder.

Suarez has insisted that neither player will be targeted, however, because the two teams "are colleagues and professionals".

"I don't think anyone is going to go looking to hurt Ramos's shoulder, just like no-one will go after Messi's leg, because we are colleagues and professionals," Suarez told reporters. "But of course we will be more switched on because it's the Clasico."

Barcelona will enter Saturday's clash with a three-point lead at the top of the La Liga table.