Barcelona superstar to play 15-20 minutes vs Alaves after a month out with injury | OneFootball

It was a day of good news and bad news for FC Barcelona today in terms of injuries.

The positive was that star midfielder Pedri, who has been out since late October, trained with the group, with everything suggesting that he will receive the medical green light for the weekend La Liga clash vs Alaves.

However, the Blaugrana lost fellow midfielder Fermin Lopez to a muscle injury, which will keep him out of action for two weeks. The expectation is for the La Masia gem to return for the Champions League clash vs Eintracht Frankfurt on 9 December.

Pedri unlikely to start vs Alaves

Given that he has only resumed training with the group two days before the game, Javi Miguel of AS confirms that Pedri is unlikely to start on Saturday against Alaves.

The plan is that the midfield superstar will play about 15-20 minutes in the second half of the contest at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.

Return close. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It will allow the Spanish international to get into some form of rhythm before the all-important La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid next week.

Pedri has been out for a month now, having suffered a hamstring injury in the dying stages of the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 23-year-old midfielder has gone on to miss five games as a result, sitting out of matches against Elche, Club Brugge, Celta Vigo, Athletic Club, and Chelsea.

Pedri’s absence has been felt dearly by Barcelona and, as such, his return against Alaves will be celebrated. But the midfield ace will not play more than 15-20 minutes on his return.