Barca’s final hopes receive shot in the arm

With the return of three of its key players ahead of Saturday’s King’s Cup final, Barcelona is motivated to look for a win in coach Luis Enrique’s swansong.

Barcelona would be hoping to avenge its 2-1 loss against Alaves earlier in the season at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona was given a triple fitness boost in defence on the morning of its King's Cup final against Alaves as the club announced Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Aleix Vidal have all been declared available.

Spain centreback Pique missed Barca's final two games of the Liga season with stomach pains while Mascherano was absent from the 4-2 win over Eibar with a hamstring problem. The return of Vidal is the biggest surprise as the rightback had been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury in the 6-0 win over Alaves back in February.

Striker Luis Suarez and defender Sergi Roberto are suspended while Jeremy Mathieu and Rafinha are still out injured. Barca is seeking a record extending 29th King's Cup triumph in coach Luis Enrique's final game in charge of the club, against an Alaves side playing its first domestic cup final.