Barcelona midfielder likely to miss Athletic Club clash; will return vs Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Much to the relieft of FC Barcelona, Gavi’s injury scare against Elche has turned out to be nothing more than a fright.

An MRI scan carried out this morning at the Ciutat Esportiva ruled out any significant damage to his right knee.

The club’s official medical report was reassuring, describing the issue simply as a contusion.

“Gavi received a blow to his right knee during yesterday’s match. The medical tests carried out this morning have confirmed that it is only a contusion,” the official statement read.

“His return to training is expected in a short time.”

Gavi to miss Athletic Club clash

Even though Barcelona insisted in their statement that Gavi will resume normal training soon, the team’s next game might come too fast for the La Masia graduate.

Gavi’s injury is not serious. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Indeed, according to Javi Miguel of AS, the midfielder is expected to miss Thursday’s match against Athletic Club.

But, there is optimism that he will be ready and available again for next Monday’s game against Rayo Vallecano.

It is welcome news for the Barcelona dressing room, which feared the worst when the Spain international suddenly left the pitch looking concerned in the 44th minute after suffering a blow to his knee.

The fact that the injury involved the same knee on which he underwent ACL surgery three years ago made the situation particularly worrying.

The Spanish international further missed a large chunk of the last season as well due to another knee problem that needed him to undergo arthroscopic surgery.

Gavi expected to miss one match. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

Fortunately, his latest injury scare turned out to be only a knock, meaning his recovery should not take more than a week.

Only two other injuries

As things stand, Hansi Flick has just two unavailable players through injury: Roony Bardghji, sidelined with an ACL rupture, and Frenkie de Jong, recovering from a knee injury sustained during the World Cup.

The other player who missed Barcelona’s league opener, marquee summer signing Rodri, returned to group training on Monday.

Everything therefore points toward the midfielder being available for Thursday’s match against Athletic Club, potentially making his official Barça debut.