Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said that the currently unavailable recent signings, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, are ready to step right in should they be cleared by the authorities to make their debuts.
Turkish playmaker Turan and Spanish right-sided player Vidal both joined Barca last summer and have been training with their teammates while being unable to play due to the FIFA-imposed transfer ban, which it was widely thought runs until next January.
With midfielder Rafinha set for six months out after an operation on his knee was completed successfully, Barca have reportedly applied to FIFA to invoke a little-known regulation that would allow them to replace an injured player, with Turan the man who could be freed to take part in La Liga games.
Reports in Catalonia suggest that Barca are willing to take the fight all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Reporters close to the Camp Nou club say Barca's argument is that the ban on registering new players actually ended at the conclusion of last summer's transfer window, meaning they can now take advantage of any regulations to replace injured players.
The blaugrana coach told a news conference ahead of the trip to high-flying Celta Vigo on Wednesday evening that all options were being considered, and that the players could play immediately if they got the green light.
"The club is looking for the best option but in the end, we depend on FIFA," Luis Enrique said. "We know the real options we have and we are waiting on the result. If we could register them, they are ready to play now. Arda played with his national team and they have both trained well considering the strange situation. It is as if your brother messes up and your parents punish you."
Midweek opponents Celta have started the season impressively, with Eduardo Berizzo's side currently unbeaten and sitting in joint second place after winning 2-1 at Sevilla last weekend. Luis Enrique said he expects a similar game to last April's clash at Balaidos, which Barca sneaked 1-0 with a late goal.
#INSERT type:image caption:Arda Turan, left, has been unable to play for Barcelona since signing in the summer.END#
"Last year it was very difficult for us and this year Celta have reinforced very well, with a great sporting director who makes very good signings," he said of the club he coached during the 2013-14 campaign. "As well as getting results, they do it in an attractive way. They will press us and dispute possession of the ball, but we like to take on teams like this."
Gerard Pique returns to the squad after missing four La Liga games through suspension but young striker Sandro Ramirez, 20, misses out with a "bruised left leg" and Barca B midfielder Gerard Gumbau, 20, remains with the squad given the current lack of numbers.
"[Pique] was out for the mistake he made [in the Spanish Super Cup], which damaged him and the team," Luis Enrique said. "It is always good to get players back. It forms part of the normal process of the season. Losses like that of Rafinha are harder to accept. In January we will bring in more players. We are focused on doing well."
With Barca currently two points clear atop the table and holding a 100 percent record, Luis Enrique was asked if he was content with the situation even if his team were not playing "as brilliantly as last season."
""At this stage of last season you guys wanted to kill me. There will be better and worse games, we will show different options. We know what we want.
"It is not different to other seasons. I am happy with the performance of the team. It could be better or worse."
Luis Enrique was less eager to get into a debate about whether Lionel Messi would remain on penalty duty after he missed one (after scoring one) against Levante -- the Argentine has now missed six of the 44 La Liga spot kicks taken during his more than a decade in a Barca shirt.
"There is no problem," he said. "Leo will take them, and that's that. He's the best."
The former La Roja international also steered well away from commenting directly on stories that Barca could leave La Liga should Catalonia break away from Spain in the coming years.
"At this point I can imagine anything happening," he said. "But in all areas of life."