Barcelona give possible dates for key players to return from serious injuries

Barcelona will hope to look fitter after this international break, with Fermín Lopez, Gavi and Dani Olmo all expected to return from injury. They also received good news from Ronald Araujo, who was ruled out for four months in the summer following surgery.

The 25-year-old centre-back has endured injuries of late, with Araujo yet to work under Flick after a muscle tear ended transfer rumors surrounding him.

He’s been back in the gym for a month now, and the idea, according to MD, is that he could be back on the court in the next month and a half. Subject to Araujo’s fitness, he is scheduled to return in Valledos’ match against Celta Vigo on November 23, or in the Champions League home game against Brest on November 26. Araujo is also expected to speak to Barcelona’s media on Friday.

It will be interesting to see how Flick gets Araujo back into action once he gets up to speed. There are certainly enough games for that to happen, but once the big games arrive, it will be difficult to replace the combination of Inigo Martinez and Paulo Cubas, who play the ball well.