Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is ready to launch Thierry Henry against Sporting Lisbon. Henry sat out Saturday's 1-1 draw with Racing Santander, but Sport says Guardiola will recall the Frenchman for their Champions League opener against Sporting.

The Barca coach is carefully managing Henry and sees it as a personal challenge to help the Arsenal legend rediscover his best form. Guardiola made it clear to Henry during the summer that he saw him as their prime goal scorer and was willing to back him to the hilt this season.

However, the situation has changed with Samuel Eto'o failing to get a move away. Henry has been hurt by the turn of events - even more so with the Cameroon international finding the back of the net against Wisla Krakow in their Champions League qualifier.

The Frenchman is still suffering from a lack of self-confidence, but Guardiola is willing to back him this week against Sporting.