Flick names Hamza Abdelkarim in Barcelona squad for Valencia as Gabriel Jesus included

Egypt international Hamza Abdelkarim has been included in Barcelona’s squad for Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Valencia at Mestalla, while new signing Gabriel Jesus is in the squad for the first time.

Barcelona travel to Valencia as league leaders after collecting nine points from their opening three matches. Valencia are 17th with one point.

The match will be played at Mestalla, Valencia’s home ground, with Barcelona aiming to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Lamine Yamal has also been selected despite completing an individual gym session on Saturday. Gabriel Jesus, who joined Barcelona from Arsenal, is included for the first time since his arrival.

Barcelona’s squad is:

Goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Dominik Livakovic.

Defenders: Joao Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia.

Midfielders: Brian Farinas, Pablo Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal.

Forwards: Gabriel Jesus, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Hamza Abdelkarim.

Barcelona opened their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Elche before overcoming Athletic Club 2-0 in their second match.

They then completed a third consecutive win by beating Rayo Vallecano 5-2, leaving them top of the table with a maximum nine points.

Valencia, meanwhile, have taken just one point from their first three fixtures and sit 17th in the standings ahead of the visit of the defending leaders.

Abdelkarim’s inclusion gives the Egypt international the opportunity to feature in Barcelona’s squad for the trip to Mestalla, while Jesus is in contention for his first appearance since moving from Arsenal.

The presence of Yamal also provides Barcelona manager Hansi Flick with another attacking option, despite the teenager having trained separately in the gym on the eve of the match.