Frenkie de Jong nears return to Barcelona's training ground

Frenkie de Jong is about to resume his first training since the knee injury. © Pro Shots reports that he will return on Monday 5 October to the training field of FC Barcelona’ after a collision with Quinten Timber during the World Cup.

Injury and missed start

The Dutch international was injured in June during the group stage of the World Cup when he hurt his knee after a hard collision with Quinten Timber in training. Because of the injury he missed Barcelona’s season start, which has retained the lead in the Spanish league without losing points.

The absence also extends to the current international break, meaning Jong is unavailable for the Dutch national team. AS reports that he will resume group training on 5 October, while a large part of the squad is still on international duties.

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The newspaper states that the home match against Alavés on 1 November offers the first chance to appear on the pitch. In Barcelona’s midfield Jong must compete with Pedri, Gavi, Marc Bernal and the summer signing Rodri, which promises a tough battle.

In an open interview with Spanish media Jong indicated that, if his recovery proceeds as expected, he can report back to the Dutch team during the next international break. The Netherlands play on 13 November against Greece and three days later against Germany, after which Jong looks forward to a reunion with coach Xavi, who had already been in contact following an approach by the KNVB.