Former Arsenal youngster Marcus McGuane is set to be handed his first-team debut by Barcelona on Wednesday night.

McGuane is in the squad to face Barcelona in their Catalan Super Cup clash with local rivals Espanyol, where he could become the first Englishman since Gary Lineker to feature for the La Liga leaders.

The 19-year-old, who only joined Barcelona last month from the Gunners after signing a three-year contract which has a £21.9 million release clause inserted into his contract, is part of a rested Barca squad that does not feature the likes of Messi, Suarez and Coutinho, with Barca prioritising their upcoming La Liga and Champions League fixtures.

This leaves space for McGuane a chance to feature, and it's clear he's already getting the sort of backing that could see this become more of a regularity.

Barca B coach Gerard Lopez has been full of praise for McGuane, whose progress and quick adaptation since joining the Barca set-up hasn't gone unnoticed.

"McGuane's adapted well. He's doing well. He's a complete player," Lopez said. "Perhaps he just lacks that calmness on the ball, that pause in terms or our positional play, but he has everything else we need in the middle of the pitch.
 In a short time he has already earned my confidence, and I hope he can become an important player for us."


[? SQUAD LIST] ⚽ Barça v Espanyol #SupercopaCAT ?? #ForçaBarça ? pic.twitter.com/3UTMxH7D3c

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 6, 2018