The decisions Luis Enrique must make ahead of Barça's clash with Deportivo

Luis Enrique has a genuine headache. The team he must pick for Deportivo La Coruna is full of doubts -- as many as seven. Injuries and tiredness accumulated during the international break, plus the upcoming game against Manchester City in the Champions League, have provoked a degree of uncertainty for a game which Barcelona can't afford to drop points in. 

At the moment, Luis Enrique only has four 'regulars' in his side. They are goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, defender Gerard Pique, midfielder Sergio Busquets and forward Neymar. And he also has three players out injured: Cillessen, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba. The rest of the side is plagued with questions, starting up front, with Lionel Messi, who's back in training but is only just coming back from a groin injury; and Luis Suarez, who has only just returned from Uruguay duty. 

Suarez's place could be taken by Paco Alcacer. In fact, the Valencia forward was signed for exactly these type of situations. Messi's position could be destined for Rafinha, but Arda Turan is also an option. Even through the Argentine wants to play some minutes against Depor to test his sensations before City on Wednesday, it may be more likely he's on the bench and plays in the second half. 

PROBLEMS IN DEFENCE 

In defence is where Luis Enrique has most problems. The absence of Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba leaves him without full-backs. On the left, Lucas Digne could play, which is a logical solution. And on the right, Aleix Vidal. But the 'punishment' the Catalan full-back is currently suffering from could lead to a 4-3-3, like against Leganes last month. There are also doubts about who will partner Pique. Samuel Umtiti could receive the all clear to return from a knee injury, while Jeremy Mathieu is an option. It seems clear that Javier Mascherano will rest after returning from Argentina duty on Thursday. 

In the middle of the pitch only Busquets is certain. The two interiors, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic, could rest. The Spanish international, due to rotations with City in mind. And the Croatian international because a pain in his Achilles tendon forced him to miss the his national side's recent World Cup qualifiers. Andre Gomes, Arda Turan and Denis Suarez are the three candidates to occupy their positions. 

POSSIBLE LINEUP 

All these headaches means it's almost impossible to guess what side Luis Enrique will pick against Depor. Even though logic suggests it could be: Ter Stegen; Vidal, Pique, Mathieu, Digne; Gomes, Busquets, Arda Turan; Rafinha, Alcacer and Neymar.