Hansi Flick says Frenkie de Jong is available to make his return from injury in Barcelona’s Champions League match against Young Boys on Tuesday.
The Netherlands midfielder has not played for club or country since April having suffered ankle ligament damage during Barcelona’s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid last season.
“It’s great news that he can return to the team, even if it’s only for five or 10 minutes. It’s something important for us,” Flick said of De Jong.
He added: “(De Jong) will be there and if he gets the chance, he will be able to play.”
De Jong’s return to full fitness is a timely boost for Flick after midfielder Marc Bernal was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury earlier this month.
Flick has also lost summer signing Dani Olmo and first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to injuries in recent weeks, while Gavi remains a long-term absentee having suffered ACL damage last season.
Barca are looking to get their Champions League campaign up and running this week after losing their season opener against Monaco.
“We lost a game against Monaco, but I’m not interested in what happened before,” said Flick.
“We want to be successful in the Champions League and for that we have to win the games now. I am optimistic about that. The team is playing well and can do it. And if we have to earn respect again, we will. That’s what we have to do.”
If De Jong’s return goes to plan, he could make his first La Liga start for almost six months when Barcelona return to domestic action against Alaves on Saturday.
Flick’s side remain top of the table, three points clear of Real Madrid, despite seeing their perfect start to the season come to an end with defeat to Osasuna last weekend.
(Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
