Barcelona boosted by Frenkie de Jong's return to training

Barcelona have been boosted by the reappearance of Frenkie de Jong in training with the rest of the squad on Monday, having missed the start of the season through injury.

De Jong has been troubled by an ankle problem for the past year, missing games last September, October and November following an initial sprain. The Dutchman suffered a setback in March and played just once more - 45 minutes against Real Madrid - in the remainder of the campaign.

He also missed Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, withdrawing from his country's squad a few days before the tournament began and subsequently sitting out the opening month of the new club campaign.

But Barcelona fans were given the good news they had been waiting for at the start of this week, when De Jong was seen involved out on the training pitch with the wider group.

The former Ajax star didn't take part in the whole session, suggesting he may not be ready to return to games quite yet, although his presence for at least part of it is a positive sign.

De Jong's absence has been a significant part of Barcelona's midfield strife so far in 2024/25. Ilkay Gundogan wound up leaving on a free transfer to ease financial problems, while Gavi has been out following last season's ACL injury.

Teenage prodigy Marc Bernal, the latest of the production line at La Masia, was set for a big role until his picking up a long-term knee injury, with chances since going to home-grown Marc Casado alongside the fit-again Pedri instead.

On the bench for the weekend's 4-1 thrashing of regional neighbours Girona was 16-year-old Guille Fernandez to boost numbers.

That being said, Barca have made an unexpectedly flying start to La Liga.

Under Hansi Flick, the Catalans have won five games on the bounce to take maximum points so far, opening up a four-point lead over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid already.

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