Barcelona have been dealt a blow during the ongoing international break, with Frenkie de Jong picking up discomfort during the Netherlands’ win over Greece.
While de Jong has now returned to Barcelona and is set to undergo important tests on Monday, the club are hoping that current injured stars can utilise the international break to get back to full fitness when club football resume.
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Barcelona are slated to resume their campaign next Sunday when they take on Villarreal and the club have already been handed a major boost.
Olmo missed the El Clasico vs Real Madrid due to injury. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
According to Diario AS, Dani Olmo is expected to be available at the disposal of Hansi Flick as Barcelona prepare for the Villarreal clash.
The Spanish international had picked up an adductor injury during Barcelona’s clash against PSG in October and was subsequently ruled out for a month.
During this period, Olmo has missed key matches against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid as well as the Champions League clash against Aston Villa.
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Although Barcelona have won three of them, his presence could have made a potential difference in the El Clasico defeat against Real Madrid.
Nevertheless, the report suggests Hansi Flick can count on Olmo’s services from day one, after the end of the ongoing international break.
Olmo’s return will be a big boon for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
A bigger question is whether or not Flick will take the risk and start with Olmo against Villarreal.
Flick has no reason to rush Olmo back into action considering the fact that Fermin Lopez has been in top form lately and is already starting to attract offers of around €100 million.
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The likely scenario, therefore, could see Olmo starting on the bench and coming on as a late substitute to get an eye in.
It must be noted that Olmo has always had a questionable injury record, and keeping that in mind, Barça are not expected to take any risk.
Meanwhile, Olmo will tune in to this evening’s encounter between Spain and England, where his teammate Lamine Yamal will get the chance to wear the number ten jersey, due to his absence.
