Barcelona midfielder returns to group training after knee injury for the first time in two months

Barcelona midfielder returns to group training after knee injury for the first time in two months Barcelona have taken a significant step towards recovering Frenkie de Jong, but Hansi Flick will have to wait before counting on the midfielder for competitive action.  According to SPORT , the Dutchman completed part of Tuesday’s team training after nearly two months out with a right knee injury. De Jong has yet to make his season debut, making this a crucial milestone in his rehabilitation.  However, his return to the training group does not mean he is ready to feature against Getafe on Saturday, October 10.  When will Frenkie de Jong return for Barcelona? De Jong’s recovery took a step forward after weather conditions disrupted his planned return to group work on Monday.  Frenkie de Jong has rejoined group training. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Heavy rain forced him to remain in the gym, delaying his first substantial session alongside teammates by 24 hours. The midfielder had already offered encouraging signs last week, sharing footage of himself working with the ball on the training pitch.  Tuesday’s session represented further progress after an extended period focused on individual rehabilitation. Notably, there is still work to do before he can return to Hansi Flick’s matchday squad, as De Jong still needs another two to three weeks to recover his competitive sharpness. This means a return later in October is a more realistic target than an immediate comeback. What De Jong’s return means for Barcelona’s midfield Frenkie de Jong is yet to play this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Barcelona have had to manage their midfield resources without one of their most experienced options, but in reality, his absence has hardly been felt.  In any way, De Jong’s ability to dictate possession, carry the ball through pressure and connect defence with attack could give Flick greater flexibility once the midfielder is fully fit and with that, the manager can also manage his squad more effectively. The immediate priority, however, is building his workload without risking another setback.  Partial participation is an encouraging development, but the club must assess how he responds before increasing the intensity of his sessions. With a demanding October schedule approaching , Barcelona will benefit from having De Jong back in contention.