Veteran Barcelona defender expected to return to training next week | OneFootball

While Lamine Yamal remains sidelined until the end of the season and will not be available for selection, Barcelona boast of an almost fully-fit squad at this point in the season beyond him.

Apart from the Spanish winger, only Raphinha, Marc Benal and Andreas Christensen are currently unavailable for selection as they recover from setbacks.

Of the three, Raphinha and Bernal are expected to return to training this week and may well make the squad in the coming days as they enter the final stages of their recoveries.

Update on Christensen

As reported by Mundo Deportivo in a recent update, Christensen, too, is making positive steps in his bid to return from injury, and a return is not too far.

The Danish defender, too, is in the final stretch of his recovery from injury, although the definition of ‘final stage’ varies in his case, given the nature of the long-term setback he is returning from.

Christensen will return soon. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Christensen is already on the verge of making a return, and even if he does not return to training this week alongside Raphinha and Bernal, he is expected to be back with the group next week.

The centre-back suffered a partial ACL rupture back in December and was expected to be out for 3-4 months after his setback was initially confirmed. His return, thus, was anticipated in late March or early April.

Subsequently, however, it came to light that the player would need up to one extra month to make his comeback, and he is on track to return to the field in May. 

What remains to be seen, however, is whether Flick hands him any prominence, given the clear pecking order now.