Five games into the season, Barcelona have made a strong start, winning four in a row after the opening-day draw against Getafe.
What makes it even more impressive is that the Catalans have done so without two of their most influential players – Ronald Araujo and Pedri – for several matches.
Indeed, Araujo has missed all the games after the season opener while Pedri has been unavailable for the last three matches.
Given their recurring injuries, the La Liga champions are not taking any risk with their recovery either.
Barcelona plan to have Pedri fully fit for Clasico
It has been reported over the past week that Ronald Araujo is closing in on a return. The Uruguayan also did part of group training yesterday and could make his comeback against Celta Vigo this weekend.
As for Pedri, the return date is still some way, with SPORT reporting that Barcelona have no intentions of taking any kind of risk by rushing the midfielder back into action.
The plan is to proceed with patience and prudence, and have Pedri back and fully fit by the time Barcelona play arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico on October 28.
As things stand, the 20-year-old midfield prodigy is ruled out of Barça’s next six games before the international break in October.
The young Spaniard has been doing gym work for now and is expected to start training on the pitch by himself in the coming days.
Return in late October
A full return to training is expected sometime in mid-to-late October, during the second international break of the season.
Barcelona play Athletic Club in their first game after the international break on October 22, before facing Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League three days later and then take on Real Madrid.
Pedri could ideally make his return against Athletic and work his way to full match fitness with an eye on El Clasico at Montjuic.
