Barcelona are reportedly hopeful that Ousmane Dembele will be able to make his return from injury in the La Liga encounter with Real Madrid at Camp Nou on March 19.
The France international has been in strong form for the Catalan giants during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.
However, the 25-year-old picked up a hamstring injury during the La Liga contest with Girona on January 28, and he has since missed the league games with Real Betis and Sevilla.
According to AS, Barcelona's medical team have scheduled in El Clasico on March 19 as the potential return fixture for the Frenchman.
The report claims that Dembele will continue to undergo physiotherapy for the next 15 days before returning to the training field, where he will spend another 15 days working his way back to full fitness.
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The attacker is therefore expected to miss Barcelona's next eight matches in all competitions, which includes both legs of their Europa League knockout round playoff with Manchester United.
Dembele would also be absent for the first leg of his side's Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Madrid on March 2, in addition to La Liga games against Villarreal, Cadiz, Almeria, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona boss Xavi recently admitted that the forward's absence was a huge blow due to his recent form.
"We don't know because he has a muscle injury that is difficult to predict. It will depend a lot on how he feels as well," the Spaniard told reporters ahead of the La Liga clash with Real Betis.
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"It's a sensitive loss. He was in a moment of extraordinary confidence. He gave us good attacking and defensive work too. It is a difficult loss to recover. We will try not to show it."
There remains speculation surrounding Dembele's future, as the Frenchman has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Camp Nou.
However, Xavi is hopeful that the former Rennes youngster will stay at the club "for many years".
"For me he is important, he is different and fundamental. It's hard to find such decisive players in one-on-one situations. The club know that. Since we've been here he's been at an extraordinary level. I hope he stays here for many years," the Barcelona boss told reporters last month.
Dembele has scored 40 goals and registered 41 assists in 178 appearances for Barcelona since making the move to the club from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017.
Matt Law
