MADRID, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona faces Valencia in the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium on Sunday as work continues on the redevelopment of the club's Camp Nou.

La Liga gave Barca permission to use the ground where its Women's and B-teams usually play, after the Camp Nou failed to get the necessary certificate from the local authority, while the former Olympic Stadium in Montjuic is unavailable due to a rock concert.

Barca has been allowed to use the Johan Cruyff even though its capacity is well below the 8,000 La Liga requires for top-flight grounds, but it has had to send around 300 tickets to Valencia, with the visiting side annoyed at only knowing where the match would be held until five days before kick-off.

Hansi Flick's side is back in action after a 1-1 draw away to Rayo Vallecano a fortnight ago, which saw the reigning champions outplayed by Rayo and only kept in the game by a series of impressive saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Gerard Martin will start at left back as Alejandro Balde recovers from a muscle problem, and Balde isn't the only injury problem for Hansi Flick, with Frenkie de Jong likely to miss out in midfield and Gavi still suffering from a knee problem.

Gavi's injury looks to be the most serious, and although the club is currently carrying out a 'conservative' treatment on the knee he hurt in training before the international break, if the midfielder doesn't start improving, he may need an operation on the knee, which he originally damaged while playing with Spain in late 2023.

Marc Casado will probably partner Pedri in central midfield, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on the flanks and either Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez playing behind Robert Lewandowski, who should make his first start of the season.

Yamal played both games for Spain in the international break and Flick will hope to be able to rest the youngster ahead of next week's Champions League debut away to Newcastle United.

Valencia has left back Jose Gaya back after suspension and has a win, a draw and a defeat from its first three matches of the campaign.

The win was at home to Getafe before the break, with Mouctar Diakhaby, Arnaut Danjuma and Hugo Duro giving Carlos Corberan's side a comfortable win, and Diakhaby will be a threat to Barca from set pieces. ■