Barcelona optimistic Lamine Yamal will return in time for Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club | OneFootball

Barcelona are hoping young sensation Lamine Yamal returns from injury in time for their Spanish Super Cup semi-final clash against Athletic Club next month, AS reports.

Yamal has become the centre of an intense recovery effort after he picked up an injury during the disappointing 1-0 defeat against Leganes.

The club announced last Monday that Yamal suffered a grade-one injury to the anterior intertibio-fibular ligament, estimating a recovery timeline of three to four weeks.

However, expert commentary on the injury has sparked debate, with some people questioning the diagnosis and recovery window, much to the club’s displeasure.

Barca’s team are still confident about their initial assessment. Tests revealed no damage to the external lateral ligament of Yamal’s ankle, alleviating initial fears of a more severe injury.

The relatively minor injury has given Barca hopes that the talented youngster could return sooner rather than later.

The Catalan giants have been careful in managing Yamal’s condition since the injury.

He continued playing for nearly an hour after the sprain, but the club’s medical staff have confirmed that the injury didn’t get any worse.

At half-time, they applied a compression bandage, administered anti-inflammatories and analgesics, and advised Yamal to alert them to any discomfort.

Yamal’s current setback mirrors the one he suffered last month, which took him three weeks to shake off, and Barca are hoping for a similar timeline this time around.

The 17-year-old is expected to miss a potential La Liga title showdown between Barca and Atletico Madrid and the Copa del Rey contest against Spanish minnows Union Deportiva Barbastro.

The focus is on having him fully fit for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Bilbao on January 8.

With no additional ligament damage and a straightforward recovery process, Barca’s medical team are optimistic that they can get him up and running in no time.

The Catalan giants loosened their grip on the La Liga summit following the shock defeat against Leganes and must dispatch Atletico to reassert themselves as title contenders.