MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 10:37:34| >> :60:785:785:

Barcelona handed major Ousmane Dembele fitness boost

Barcelona handed major Ousmane Dembele fitness boost
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi reveals that Ousmane Dembele is close to being available for selection following hamstring issue.

Barcelona boss Xavi has revealed that Ousmane Dembele is on the verge of a first-team return.

The France international has missed the Catalan outfit's last six matches in all competitions with the hamstring problem that he picked up against Girona at the end of January.

Dembele had not been expected to return until the middle of March, but Xavi has said that the 25-year-old was back in training on Friday and is closing in on a return to action.

The Frenchman is "not 100% ready", though, so he will not be involved against Almeria on Sunday night.

"He is fine, yesterday he trained well. He looks fine, but is not 100% ready yet. He's about to be back with the team. It depends on his recovery. We trust his instincts, he's fine and that's important," Xavi said during his press conference on Saturday afternoon.

Real Betis's Aitor Ruibal in action with Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele on January 12, 2023© Reuters

Dembele has been in impressive form for Barcelona during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring eight goals and registering seven assists in 28 appearances in all competitions.

The Catalan outfit were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday night courtesy of their 2-1 loss at Manchester United in the second leg of their knockout round playoff.

However, the club are still fighting on two fronts, with the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid set to take place at the start of March.

"When you win the league with a big club like Barcelona, it is a good season. We are now counting on ourselves and we have important matches. If we win the double, it will be a great season," Xavi added.

Barcelona manager Xavi pictured in September 2022© Reuters

The Barcelona head coach also provided fitness updates on Ronald Araujo and Ansu Fati ahead of the clash with Almeria.

Araujo was substituted in the latter stages of the clash with Man United on Thursday, but the Uruguay international is "100% ready" for this weekend's contest.

Fati, meanwhile, could return from a knee problem against Real Madrid next week.

"We hope that Fati will be ready for El Clasico on Thursday," said Xavi after it was revealed that the Spain international had suffered an injury in training on Friday.

Barcelona are currently eight points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, although the gap would be down to five points if Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.

ID:507597:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3828:

Ousmane Dembele future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Xavi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Ansu Fati pictured during the warm up before the match on October 20 2022
Read Next:
Barcelona reveal Ansu Fati injury blow
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!