Dutch defender Frenkie de Jong has returned to training with Barcelona after being sidelined with a knee injury. According to reports, de Jong had been recovering well and was expected to rejoin his teammates on Tuesday. His return was initially expected on Monday but was delayed due to bad weather conditions that forced the team to train indoors. De Jong had been out with a knee injury, specifically a tear in the internal lateral ligament of his right knee.

De Jong's recovery process has been positive, and he is reportedly feeling good. The 29-year-old had played in all of Netherlands' World Cup matches before their exit on June 30. He later revealed that the medical staff had not accurately assessed his injury, and he felt he could still play without aggravating it. This is not the first time de Jong has faced injury issues, having missed nearly two months last season due to a muscle injury in his thigh.

Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Rafinha was the only player to train individually on Tuesday. There were reports that Rafinha had extended his contract with Barcelona on Monday, but details of the new deal were not disclosed. The 26-year-old had been linked to several clubs, but it appears he will remain with the Catalan side for now.

Barcelona's medical team had previously announced that de Jong's injury would require a period of rehabilitation, although the exact duration of his absence was not specified. The team's coach, Xavi Hernandez, will likely be pleased to have de Jong back in training, as the defender is an important player for the team.

De Jong's return to training is a significant boost for Barcelona, who have had a mixed start to the season. The team has been dealing with several injury issues, and the availability of key players like de Jong will be crucial in their quest for success. Rafinha's individual training session suggests that he may be available for selection soon, although his fitness levels will need to be assessed.

Barcelona's upcoming match against Getafe will be an important test for the team, and the availability of de Jong and Rafinha will be crucial. The team's coach will need to assess their fitness levels and decide whether to include them in the squad. The return of de Jong and potential availability of Rafinha will provide a significant boost to Barcelona's chances of securing a positive result.

In related news, several other players have returned to training with their respective teams. Real Madrid's defender Eder Militao has returned to training after a knee injury, while Paris Saint-Germain's forward Kylian Mbappe has been training individually. These developments will be closely watched by fans and coaches alike, as the teams prepare for their upcoming matches.

Key points

  • Frenkie de Jong has returned to training with Barcelona after a knee injury.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.