Barcelona defender unlikely to return vs Las Palmas; comeback possible against Atletico | OneFootball

Barcelona will return to action in La Liga this Saturday as they get set to take on UD Las Palmas, aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table.

The good news for the Blaugrana is that the list of injured players is very short with only Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, both long-term absentees, definitively unavailable for the game against the Canary Islanders.

What about Andreas Christensen?

According to AS, Andreas Christensen has taken a step forward in his recovery, returning to training with the squad.

The Danish centre-back participated in part of Tuesday’s session, albeit only with the substitutes. The plan is for him to train again on Thursday, this time alongside the starting players. Depending on how he feels, he could potentially complete the full session.

Christensen sustained a soleus muscle injury in his right leg during a training session ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League clash against Atalanta on 28 January.

The initial prognosis estimated a three-week absence, and so far, he has followed the expected recovery timeline.

Return unlikely this weekend

Closing in on a return. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

However, the report adds that despite his return to training, it remains uncertain whether he will receive medical clearance for the Las Palmas encounter, as he will have only completed two full sessions.

Given his injury record, Barcelona’s medical staff and coaching team are approaching his return with caution.

As such, It is unlikely that Christensen will be available for Barcelona’s upcoming match against Las Palmas, making the Copa del Rey tie against Atletico Madrid a more realistic target.

Even if he receives medical clearance, Christensen’s return to the squad is not guaranteed.

La Liga regulations allow a maximum of 23 players in the matchday squad. With three reserve players – Diego Kochen, Hector Fort and Gerard Martin – currently occupying spots only 20 places remain for first-team players.

At present, Hansi Flick has 21 senior players available, meaning he must exclude at least one, with Ansu Fati being the most likely candidate.

If Christensen returns, a second player will need to be left out, and the Danish defender could be the one sacrificed in the short to medium term as he regains full fitness.