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Barcelona have no indication still of when star midfielder Frenkie de Jong will return to action following his ankle injury, as per AS. The Dutchman has missed 25 weeks of action due to an injury which was initially estimated would keep him out for 4-6 weeks, at most.
De Jong was stretchered off the Santiago Bernabeu pitch in April during El Clasico as he re-injured an ankle that had kept him out earlier in the 2023-24 season as well. His recovery timeline was set at around six weeks, with a view to the midfielder making the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024. But the former Ajax man failed to prove his fitness before the tournament.
Barcelona finally welcomed Frenkie de Jong to team training last week, but the midfielder has yet to complete a session with the rest of the group. He is still some way from 100% fitness, and the club do not know when he will return to the pitch, as per the aforementioned report.
Manager Hansi Flick has reportedly held a number of meetings with the experienced midfielder to try and persuade him to intensify his efforts to return. La Blaugrana are short of midfield options, as all of Gavi, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez are out injured at present.
De Jong turned down the option of going under the knife as he sought a conservative approach to correct his ankle problem, but may now be forced to undergo surgery. Having spent the best part of five months on the sidelines, the 27-year-old needs to return to action, just as his club needs him back on the pitch.
Barcelona retain cautious optimism over Frenkie de Jong return - Reports
Barcelona are hopeful of midfielder Frenkie De Jong returning to action for their midweek league match against Getafe, SPORT reports. The Dutchman has spent the last five months out after having injured his ankle in April.
De Jong returned to team training but has not resumed contact training alongside Gavi, with both midfielders afforded the opportunity to work separately. The club hopes to have the Netherlands international in full training from this week in order to have him available for their upcoming fixtures.
Barcelona want De Jong back for their match against Getafe or the next league one against Osasuna. The club have also penned down the UEFA Champions League clash against Young Boys on October 1 as a possible return date for the midfielder.
