Xavi Sets Firm Frenkie de Jong Return Date From Injury

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Xavi has revealed Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong should be fit and available after the November international break.

De Jong was one of a core of important first-team players who were downed by injuries earlier this season and the Netherlands international hasn’t played for the Blaugrana since late September due to an ankle problem.

The Dutchman had targeted a return for El Clasico in late October but wasn’t deemed fit enough to return, though Xavi has confirmed De Jong will be able to play in Barca’s next game once national team fixtures are over.

Before Barca take on Alaves on Sunday, he said in his pre-match press conference: “Frenkie will be against Rayo [Vallecano] and Pedri is 100%.”

De Jong and Pedri were expected to form a key part of Barca’s midfield this season but their absences have seen the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Oriol Romeu and Gavi pick up more minutes.

However, young Spain international Gavi is suspended for Alaves’ visit on Sunday, leaving Xavi shorter on options as the Catalan side attempt to keep pace with current leaders Girona and second-place Real Madrid.

Barca’s form has been poor of late, losing two of their last three games, and they put in a miserable performance against Real Sociedad in a game they somehow won 1-0 thanks to Ronald Araujo’s late effort.

The defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek also scuppered Barca’s immediate chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League, knocking them into second behind Porto in Group H.

De Jong managed six La Liga appearances and one outing in the Champions League before his injury. The 26-year-old scored once and wasn’t on a losing side as Barca went unbeaten in the early stages of the campaign.

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