Barcelona superstar could play 10-20 minutes vs Young Boys following injury return | OneFootball

After a layoff that lasted much longer than initially expected, Frenkie de Jong is finally back in the FC Barcelona squad for tonight’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Young Boys.

The 27-year-old has been out of action for more than five months after suffering an ankle injury in April this year.

However, having returned to training a couple of weeks back, the Netherlands international finally received the medical discharge earlier today and is ready to make his comeback.

Hansi Flick’s plans with De Jong

Now, according to Javi Miguel of AS, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick plans on giving Frenkie de Jong a brief run-out for about 10-20 minutes during tonight’s game against Young Boys.

De Jong’s return is a huge boost for Barça considering they are short on resources in midfield thanks to injuries to Gavi, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, and Fermin Lopez.

The Dutchman’s availability provides the manager an additional option in midfield, which will come even more handy tonight as Eric Garcia is also suspended.

Back in action tonight. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

However, De Jong will not be thrust into the thick of things right away and will only play for about 10-20 minutes tonight, with the plan being to ease him back into the team.

Speaking about the Netherlands international’s return during the press conference yesterday, Flick had said:

“Yes, it’s great news to have Frenkie in the team, whether it’s five minutes or ten minutes. It’s very important for us.

“We are all happy when they come back, and it will be good for Frenkie too to come back, to be there, to be able to be with the youngsters. And if he gets the chance to play, he will. I don’t know if 45, 20 or 10 minutes. And it will be good for him, in my opinion.”

So, in all likelihood, De Jong will make his comeback for Barcelona tonight and when he steps on the pitch, the Dutchman will also take the captain’s armband as he is the team’s third skipper behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo – both out injured.