De Jong 'to join' Barcelona group training, Clásico role uncertain | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong is nearing a return to Barcelona training, yet a comeback in matches will depend on him rebuilding rhythm and strength. With a packed schedule under Hansi Flick, the timeline remains cautious.

Mundo Deportivo reports that he will work with the non-international group on five October, then link up with the full squad, including internationals, on eight October. The 29-year-old is completing conservative treatment on a right knee medial collateral ligament tear sustained at the World Cup.

Rejoining team-mates next week would not mean an immediate return to action. He is likely to need a further two or three weeks of preparation, provided there are no aches or relapses.

A congested run of fixtures could limit prolonged high-tempo sessions with team-mates, which may influence his date of return. It would also make sense for him to continue working alone until Thursday 15 October, when the squad return from facing Galatasaray in Istanbul in the Champions League.

Barcelona play their first Clásico of the season against Real Madrid on Sunday 25 October. Staff view his involvement before that as difficult. He might make the matchday squad, but minutes are unclear unless injuries force Hansi Flick to call on him.

A more realistic target is Alavés on one November. That fixture comes a week after the Madrid game, with no other clash in between, allowing daily work with team-mates without travel or recovery interruptions.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”