PSG handed surprise injury boost ahead of Liverpool Champions League showdown | OneFootball

Bradley Barcola has returned ahead of schedule to bolster Luis Enrique’s ranks

Paris Saint-Germain hope to have Bradley Barcola available to face Liverpool in a surprise injury boost ahead of their Champions League quarter-final double-header.

Young forward Barcola has been sidelined since scoring in PSG's 3-0 win away at Chelsea, which secured their last-eight spot, having picked up what was described by his club as a severe ligament sprain in his right ankle.

It was reported at the time by French publication L'Equipe that Barcola would miss around a month of action, effectively ruling the youngster out of both quarter-final legs against Liverpool.

But, less than three weeks since picking up the injury, Barcola was able to join his team-mates in training ahead of the visit of Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

Barcola took part in first-team training on Monday and again on Tuesday, as he pushes to face Liverpool in next week’s second leg.

PSG head coach Luis Enrique said of Barcola on Tuesday: "If he’s still unwell, he won’t play tomorrow. He had a partial training session yesterday and a full session today.

“He’s coming back. We’re finding the best conditions. He’ll tell us when he’s ready. He’s lacking a little confidence."

In his absence, fellow attackers Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Goncalo Ramos have all scored.

Demble and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are expected to start against Arne Slot's struggling side, with Barcola pushing to complete a fearsome front three.

Key midfielder Fabian Ruiz also remains sidelined. Enrique added: “We’re working on getting the players back to full fitness. It’s normal to play through pain, but we’re still focused on giving the players the confidence to show their form.

He hasn’t trained yet. He’s progressing. We talk every day. We’re happy. He’s on the right track.”

Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG last year, going down in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 aggregate scoreline. PSG went on to beat Aston Villa and then Arsenal in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, before thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in a remarkable final.

So, while Liverpool will be looking for revenge, they head to the French capital licking their wounds after a humbling 4-0 defeat at Manchester City which ended their FA Cup hopes

A hat-trick from Erling Haaland stole the headlines, but Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty before Mohamed Salah missed a spot-kick of his own late in the game to cap a miserable afternoon.