FC Barcelona has received positive news on the injury front as midfielder Frenkie de Jong is set to make his return for the Champions League first leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain. De Jong has been sidelined since early March due to an ankle sprain sustained during a La Liga match against Athletic Club.
Reports indicate that De Jong's recovery timeline of 4-5 weeks has been accurate, as he returned to training at the Joan Gamper CT on Thursday. The midfielder participated in a training match over the weekend, lasting around an hour, and reportedly performed well, signaling his readiness for the upcoming fixture.
With de Jong's imminent return, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez faces decisions on the midfielder's role in the match against PSG. In de Jong's absence, Xavi has utilized a midfield trio featuring Andreas Christensen, Fermin Lopez, and Sergi Roberto. However, with Christensen also dealing with injury concerns, adjustments may be necessary in the lineup.
Christensen and fellow midfielder Pedri, who has been recovering from a thigh injury, also featured in the training match, albeit for a limited duration. Both players are reportedly progressing well in their recoveries, with a final decision on their availability for the PSG clash expected closer to the matchday.
Barcelona's midfield dynamics are set to receive a boost with de Jong's return, providing Xavi with additional options and flexibility in his team selection. The Dutch midfielder's presence could prove crucial in a challenging encounter against the Ligue 1 leaders, as Barcelona aims to secure a positive result in the first leg of the Champions League tie.
