Pique omitted from 18-man squad for Valencia match

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has not been included in coach Pep Guardiola's 18-man squad for Wednesday's La Liga game at Valencia. The Spain international resumed full training on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury which made him miss the club's last five encounters. However, Guardiola feels Wednesday's game at the Mestalla comes too soon for Pique and has decided not to risk the 24-year-old against the current La Liga leaders. This means that Pique is likely return to action only on Saturday, against Atletico Madrid. The former Manchester United defender joins injured duo Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez in Barcelona's list of absentees.