Umtiti ready to start for Barca against Sevilla

Barcelona, Feb 23: FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has said that defender Samuel Umtiti, absent for most of the season due to injury, is fit enough to start against Sevilla.

Since injuring his knee in September, the Frenchman has appeared in just eight matches in all competitions, reports Efe news.

"We think he (Umtiti) is ready to start. (Clement) Lenglet is in danger of s uspension and (Thomas) Vermaelen is injured," Valverde told the media on Friday.

"We know we have difficult games ahead of us and we need to be prepared," the coach said, alluding to next week's clashes with arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Barca will face the Blancos at Madrid's Sebastian Bernabeu stadium twice in the space of four days.