Barcelona defender racing to be fit to face Alaves; club not ruling out duo’s return vs Aston Villa

Barcelona defender racing to be fit to face Alaves; club not ruling out duo’s return vs Aston Villa According to Javi Miguel of AS , Barcelona are racing against time to recover Jules Kounde for Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Alaves, with the French defender still training separately from the group . Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia could also return in the coming weeks as Hansi Flick attempts to address a defensive injury crisis that has become a major concern for the Catalan club. Despite the urgency, Barcelona are prioritising player safety over the temptation to rush anyone back. Kounde faces race against time for Barcelona return Barcelona currently have four defenders sidelined through injury, with Xavi Espart the latest addition to the treatment room. The youngster is expected to miss approximately seven weeks after suffering an injury during El Clasico , following a heavy challenge from Aurelien Tchouameni. With Espart unlikely to return before 2027, Barcelona’s immediate hopes are focused on Kounde, Christensen and Eric Garcia. Will Kounde make it back in time for Alaves clash? (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images) Kounde is considered the most likely of the three to return this weekend, although he had still not resumed training with the first team as of Wednesday. Barcelona are hopeful that the additional days after El Clasico will be enough for the Frenchman to recover from his ankle sprain and receive medical clearance to face Alaves. However, even if he makes it, his preparation will be limited. In the best-case scenario, the Frenchman would have completed only two training sessions with the group before Saturday’s fixture. Christensen and Eric Garcia target returns in November Christensen is approaching the end of his fifth week on the sidelines after suffering a tear in the rectus femoris muscle of his left quadriceps. Barcelona are targeting the Champions League match against Aston Villa on 3 November for his potential return. Even if he receives medical clearance in time, the Danish defender is expected to begin on the bench and would be used only if necessary. Eric Garcia could return earlier than expected. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Eric Garcia’s situation is less straightforward. The Spaniard sustained a tear in the rectus femoris muscle of his right quadriceps during the match against Real Betis on 17 October. His initial recovery estimate was three to four weeks, making the La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid on 8 November the more realistic target. However, there is growing hope within the squad that Eric could return earlier than initially anticipated. A comeback against Aston Villa has not been ruled out, despite the original timeline suggesting otherwise. Barcelona prioritise safety amid defensive crisis The pressure to restore defensive depth is understandable. With Espart facing an extended absence and Kounde, Christensen and Eric Garcia all dealing with fitness concerns, Flick has limited options as Barcelona approach a demanding run of fixtures. The club are exploring the possibility of bringing their injured players back as soon as reasonably possible, but without exposing a player to unnecessary risk. Barcelona’s medical staff are therefore prioritising a cautious approach. Even if an earlier return appears possible, the final decision will depend on each player’s physical condition and readiness to compete.