De Jong partly rejoins Barça training after knee issue, eyes month-end

📰 Frenkie de Jong, who injured his knee at the World Cup, took part in some of Barcelona's team training on 6 October, taking the first step towards a comeback. 📌 Key points 🩹 He injured the medial ligament in his right knee at the World Cup last summer. 💊 He opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery and has been in rehab for around four months. 🏃 He took part in some of the team training on Tuesday 6 October. 🗓️ It is expected to take another two to three weeks to build up match fitness. ⚖️ His involvement in El Clásico on the 25th remains uncertain. 📝 What happened 🩹 De Jong injured the medial ligament in his right knee playing for the Netherlands at the World Cup in June. The medical staff chose conservative treatment without surgery, and de Jong has not yet played a game this season. 🏃 According to Yahoo Sports, de Jong completed part of the session with his teammates at the Ciutat Esportiva on the 6th. The day before, on the 5th, he had trained individually. Karim Adeyemi, back early from the Germany squad, also joined training that day. 🗓️ However, a return to training is not a return to playing. The club are handling de Jong carefully, aiming for a competitive return at the end of the month. Mundo Deportivo expects it to take two to three weeks to build up match fitness, and coach Flick has also said he will not take any risks. 🔁 RotoWire had earlier reported that the PSG game and El Clásico would be difficult, and that the home game against Alavés on 1 November is a realistic target for his return. There were also suggestions that, even when he returns, he will be used as a rotation option in a midfield that now includes Rodri. 📊 By the numbers • Rejoined team training: 6 October (partial) • Time out injured: around 4 months • Expected time to match readiness: 2–3 weeks (Mundo Deportivo) • El Clásico: 25 October / Mooted return: Alavés, 1 November 🔭 Why it matters De Jong's return could give Barcelona more breathing room in midfield. But having chosen conservative treatment, the club do not plan to rush him. Barça resume the league against Getafe on the 10th, and the next question is whether de Jong can make the squad for El Clásico on the 25th.