Hansi Flick and the Barcelona coaching staff have outlined a clear plan for Frenkie de Jong, as reported by SPORT.
It is said that the midfielder is set to return to action on Sunday against Alaves, and he will use the upcoming international break to regain his fitness.
It has been confirmed that he will not be selected by Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands national team coach, for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, as he was excluded from the pre-selection list.
It is during this break that De Jong will follow a tailored training programme designed to ensure he is fully fit once club football resumes.
A return after 163 days
De Jong made his much-anticipated return to the pitch on Tuesday, after being sidelined for 163 days.
He played for about 30 minutes against Young Boys, much to the delight of Barcelona fans who welcomed him back warmly.
His decision to avoid surgery and instead pursue conservative treatment has paid off, allowing him to contribute to the team once again. His presence on the field is a significant boost for Flick and the squad as they prepare for a challenging series of matches.
When club football resumes, Barcelona will face a demanding schedule. They will kick off with a home game against Sevilla, followed by a crucial Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
Additionally, they will also compete in the first El Clasico of the season, which could be pivotal for the title race in La Liga. For these important fixtures, De Jong is expected to be fit enough to play the full ninety minutes.
Flick, who will also have Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez available by then, will need a strong and versatile squad to navigate through this series of intense matches.
