Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly closing in on a return to action, while central defender Ronald Araujo is expected to be back on the field by the end of November.
De Jong has been on the sidelines since the end of April due to a severe ankle injury, which also forced the Netherlands international to miss out on this summer's European Championship.
There have recently been suggestions that De Jong could need surgery to fully address the problem, but according to Relevo, he has decided against an operation at this stage.
As a result, the report claims that the midfielder could return to training next week, meaning that he may be available for selection before the end of September.
However, there are allegedly concerns over De Jong's ankle due to the seriousness of the damage, with the Dutchman said to have lost strength and stability in the impacted area.
© Imago
De Jong 'could' return by the end of September
De Jong only featured in one of Barcelona's final 11 La Liga matches of last season, and the Catalan outfit are currently stretched in midfield due to the absences of Gavi and Marc Bernal through injury.
However, if the 27-year-old's return to training goes as planned, then there is a chance that the midfielder could be available for the La Liga clash with Osasuna on September 28.
Araujo, meanwhile, underwent a hamstring operation in the middle of July, and he has been working with a physiotherapist in Uruguay since.
According to SPORT, the centre-back is due to return to the club's training ground next week, and the club are hopeful that he will be available for selection by the end of November.
© Imago
Araujo's recovery from hamstring injury 'is going as planned'
The report claims that a four-month recovery timeframe had initially been set after Araujo had undergone the operation, which would take him to the latter stages of November.
There was speculation surrounding the Uruguay international's future in the early stages of the summer transfer window, but his hamstring issue ended his chances of leaving the club.
Araujo is viewed as a vital part of Hansi Flick's plans moving forward, but the 25-year-old's contract is due to expire in June 2026, and Barcelona are said to be finding it difficult to convince him to pen fresh terms.
Fermin Lopez, Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Gavi are also currently on the sidelines for Barcelona, but the Catalan outfit have won all four of their La Liga matches this season to top the table on 12 points.
Matt Law
