Márquez aims to give Barça a lift

FC Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez has declared himself fit for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final at FC Schalke 04 and vowed he is ready "to do everything possible to help the team start winning again".

Powerful presence
Márquez has been sidelined with a damaged right foot since 20 February and his absence has coincided with Barcelona's recent downturn. Indeed, without the powerful presence of the Mexican international, the Catalan side have won just once and have conceded 16 goals in their last seven domestic matches – bowing out of the Copa del Rey and falling seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid CF.

'I feel fit'
With the former AS Monaco FC player and Gabriel Milito both available again after missing Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Real Betis Balompié, Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is expected to reshuffle his back line – with Márquez himself anxious to return. "I feel fit and I'm keen to play," he said. "Returning in time for this match has been my target all along and I've been working really hard. I still have a bit of pain in my foot sometimes but I feel ready and I want to get back into action."

Midfield role
Márquez operated largely as a central midfielder during the early years of his career before moving to a deeper role, notably forming a superb centre-back partnership with Carles Puyol in 2005/06 when Barcelona lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy. Given the club's current frailties, Rijkaard is thought to be considering restoring Márquez to a holding midfield berth alongside Yaya Touré at the Arena AufSchalke, a position that would suit the 29-year-old. "I'd be happy to play centre-half or just in front of the defence if that's what the coach decides. The important thing is to be able to start helping the team again."

European form
If Barcelona are receiving criticism for their performances in Spain, Rijkaard's men have barely put a foot wrong in Europe this term and begin as clear favourites against a Schalke side appearing in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time. Yet Márquez remains wary of opponents who have already accounted for Valencia CF and Rosenborg BK in the group stage and 2004 winners FC Porto in the first knockout round. "There are no weak teams in the last eight of this competition," Márquez stressed. "Schalke show their quality every week in the Bundesliga. They're a disciplined side with dangerous attackers. We'll need to be especially attentive on set pieces because they're also strong in the air."