Full-back Alves had been absent for a month due to a calf problem while Xavi picked up a thigh injury during last weekend's defeat to Atletico Madrid that had been expected to keep the Spain international out for around 15 days.

However, both players have been named in a 20-man travelling party for the trip to Germany for the first leg of Barca's last 16 clash with Stuttgart.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was a late withdrawal ahead of last night's 4-0 win over Racing Santander with an ankle problem, has also been included along with young duo Jonathan dos Santos and Marc Bartra in his squad, but injured pair Seydou Keita and Eric Abidal are missing.