Lamine Yamal injury: Barcelona winger's potential return date

Barcelona's excellent start to the Hansi Flick era has been spearheaded by 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal but La Blaugrana have been left sweating on his fitness.

The dynamic forward was a member of Spain's squad for the October international break, with matches in the UEFA Nations League against Denmark and Serbia for La Roja.

However, an injury sustained in the 1-0 victory over Denmark last Saturday has ruled the teenager out of Tuesday's clash with Serbia and Barcelona will now be concerned over the seriousness of his fitness concerns.

Here is an update on Yamal's condition ahead of the return of club football.

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What injury does Lamine Yamal have?

Yamal was named in the Luis de la Fuente's starting XI for the 1-0 Nations League victory over Denmark at the weekend, with Martin Zubimendi eventually providing the winning goal for the Euro 2024 champions in the 79th minute.

The Barcelona forward featured for almost the entirety of the win but was withdrawn late in the match due to injury. Having limped off in the dying minutes, there was understandable concern regarding the wonderkid's condition.

However, after an initial MRI scan, Spain's football federation have confirmed that Yamal has avoided a serious injury despite hurting his hamstring against Denmark.

A statement read: "Tests have not detected any structural injury and the RFEF medical services confirm that it is an overload."

De la Fuente also spoke about Yama's fitness ahead of the Serbia clash, stating: "Lamine had some discomfort at the end of the match. I spoke to him and he told me that he thought he wouldn't be 100% fit on Tuesday and when in doubt we always bet on the health of the athlete. Football is football, if it has to happen, it will happen."

When will Lamine Yamal return from injury?

Yamal has been sent back to Barcelona to recuperate given he will not be risked in Spain's clash with Serbia, but it remains unclear if he will miss any matches for the Catalan giants in the coming weeks.

While Yamal has avoided a long-term spell on the sidelines, he faces a race against time to be passed fit for Sunday's meeting with Sevilla in La Liga. Barcelona then face Bayern Munich in the Champions League before visiting Clasico rivals Real Madrid and Flick will be desperate for Yamal to be involved in those two battles.

Barcelona already have a lengthy injury list that contains Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, although the midfield duo of Gavi and Olmo are expected to be fit again soon.

Yamal has been in eye-catching form again after an amazing breakout season and summer at the Euros, registering four goals and five assists in nine La Liga matches so far this term.

Who could replace Lamine Yamal in the Barcelona team?

Flick has a number of options capable of replacing Yamal, although none will be able to match the youngster's impressive output and technical quality.

Raphinha, who has made a remarkable start to the season, could be pushed over to the right-hand side having featured on the left wing or as a number ten this campaign. The Brazilian has experience playing on the right flank and is left-footed.

Ansu Fati is also an option despite preferring the left-hand side. He made his first appearances of the season from the bench in Barca's two most recent fixtures and will rival Ferran Torres for a starting berth if Yamal is absent. However, Torres is also an injury doubt following a hamstring tear and may be unavailable immediately after the international break.

22-year-old forward Pau Victor could be handed a start in Yamal's absence. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 defeat to Osasuna at the end of September.

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