Barcelona have started the new season at a strong pace under Hansi Flick, with the manager looking to maintain that momentum across domestic and European competitions.
The Catalan giants face a demanding run of fixtures after the international break, leaving little room for disruption as they prepare for several important tests.
However, Flick has been forced to manage without one of his most experienced midfielders during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Frenkie de Jong has been recovering from a medial collateral ligament tear in his right knee, an injury he sustained during the World Cup.
The Dutch international opted for conservative treatment rather than surgery, with Barcelona respecting his decision while carefully monitoring his progress.
Frenkie de Jong latest injury return date revealed
De Jong is now expected to return to group training on October 5, according to Mundo Deportivo, giving Barcelona a clearer picture of when their midfielder could be available again.
The 29-year-old is initially expected to train with the players who have not joined their national teams, before the rest of the squad returns on October 8.
His return to training will not mean an immediate comeback, however, as De Jong is expected to need another two to three weeks to rebuild his match fitness and physical strength.
That timeline makes the October 25 Clasico against Real Madrid a difficult target, with Barcelona’s coaching staff unlikely to take unnecessary risks with a player who has spent months recovering.
Instead, the November 1 meeting with Alaves could provide a more realistic opportunity for Frenkie de Jong to return to competitive action, provided he avoids any further setbacks.
For Flick, the priority will be ensuring the midfielder is fully prepared before bringing him back into a team facing an intense schedule across La Liga and the Champions League.
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