Lamine Yamal set to make Barcelona return tomorrow

Football

Lamine Yamal will make his return from injury against Las Palmas tomorrow after being named in the Barcelona squad.

The 17-year-old suffered an ankle injury against Red Star Belgrade on November 6 and missed the league games with Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo and the midweek Champions League game against Brest.

Defeat to Sociedad and a draw with Celta mean Barca’s lead at the top of La Liga has been trimmed to four points with second-placed Real Madrid also having a game in hand and coach Hansi Flick is pleased to have Spain international Yamal available again.

The German said: “Lamine is back, he’s ready to play. We will see if he starts or not, we have not decided yet. But he can play, and he will play.”

De Jong needs time – Flick

Gavi will start in midfield as he continues to come back from an ACL injury while Flick continues to take it cautiously with Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong who is still struggling to regain his rhythm following an ankle problem.

Flick added: “Now he has to get back the confidence he needs. We have to give this. I know it’s important for him also to play.

“We want to play with the best team we can give at the moment. This is maybe why he has not the minutes maybe he wants; that we want. He will come back, definitely, I am 100 per cent sure, but it takes time.

“At the end, in the midfield we have a lot of really good players. I have to decide. When we can give him minutes, we will give it, but also in the training he has to show us and increase the level. But he’s in a good way and we will help him. It’s our job.”

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