Dani Alves makes early return as Barca travel to Russia

Dani Alves has been included in Barcelona's squad for the Champions League match against Rubin Kazan after recovering from injury sooner than expected.

Barca feared they would be without the flying full-back for around three weeks after he sustained a thigh injury during the first meeting with Rubin just under a fortnight ago.

But the Brazil international, who is rated as one of the world's finest right backs, has been given the green light to return on Wednesday after missing only three games.

Alves is one of 19 players who will make the trip to Russia, where Barca will attempt to bounce back from their shock 2-1 defeat to Rubin at the Nou Camp - with injured defenders Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Gabriel Milito the only men missing.