Barcelona confirm 18-man squad for El Clasico with Ousmane Dembele not deemed ready for return

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has named an 18-man squad for El Clasico, but Ousmane Dembele has lost his race to prove his fitness.

The £105million summer signing played just three times before picking up a thigh injury after his move from Borussia Dortmund in August.

But the 20-year-old was back in full training with the rest of the Barca first team on Thursday, prompting suggestions he could be handed a shock return in the Spanish capital.

However Valverde - still unbeaten in the league since taking charge at Camp Nou - had been consistent in declaring that Dembele would not be included, and would have to wait until the new year.

And he has indeed refrained from handing him a recall, with Gerard Deulofeu also not included.

No return for Dembele in Madrid (Image: AFP)

Dembele has spent a few weeks stepping up his training programme (Image: AFP)

Valverde has refused to rush back the French starlet