Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic insists summer signing Luis Suarez has the support of the rest of the squad, despite his current ban.

Suarez arrived at Camp Nou in a big-money move from Liverpool but is unable to make his Barca bow until late October after receiving a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup whilst playing for Uruguay.

Croatia international Rakitic is convinced Suarez will be a success in La Liga and revealed the striker has promised his team-mates there will be no repeat of the incident that marred his campaign in Brazil.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Croatia’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Malta on Tuesday, he said: “Suarez? He’s a calm guy, very easy going and affable.

“He’s a great person to be around and he knows we all support him, and I feel like that has helped him become a part of the group more quickly.

“He told us on the very first day that what happened in the World Cup is never happening again. He made a promise that it is not going to happen ever again, and we believe him.”

Barcelona are 1.90 to win the La Liga title this season, Real Madrid can be backed at 2.10 and defending champions Atletico Madrid are priced at 15.00.