Barca broke its transfer record to bring Coutinho to the club at the start of January in a deal which could eventually rise to $A246 million.

The 25-year-old was already suffering with a thigh injury before leaving Liverpool and that has so far prevented him from featuring with his new team-mates.

But the Brazilian international's long-awaited debut appears to be imminent having been handed the number 14 jersey - famously worn by Johan Cruyff and recently vacated by Javier Mascherano - and named in the squad for Friday's clash, as Espanyol visit Camp Nou with a 1-0 lead.

Colombian defender Mina could also feature for the first time after he joined from Palmeiras for a reported $A18.5 million.

There are also returns for Andres Iniesta and Paco Alcacer, who had been nursing injuries.