Injured Barcelona midfielder could make surprise early return for AS Monaco clash | OneFootball

The international break earlier this month saw Barcelona lose youngster Fermin Lopez pick up an injury while away with the Spain Under-21 national team.

Upon returning to Barcelona and undergoing tests, the club announced that the 21-year-old would be out for a period of three weeks.

As such, it was expected that Fermin would return to action towards the end of September, with the game against Getafe being eyed as the day when he makes his comeback.

Fermin could be back against AS Monaco

However, now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Fermin could make a surprise return to action as early as this week when Barcelona take on AS Monaco in their UEFA Champions League opener.

As per the report, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder is making good progress in his recovery and is very likely to shorten the deadlines on his possible return.

Set for an early return? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

There is a good chance that the Blaugrana medical staff could give the Spaniard an all-clear in time for Thursday’s Champions League clash against the Ligue 1 outfit.

There are still two training sessions left before the squad for the trip to Monaco will be announced and Fermin could very well be a part of it.

If not, the weekend’s La Liga game against Villarreal could be where the Olympic gold medallist could make his comeback.

If true, it will be a huge boost for Hansi Flick and Barcelona, who recently lost Dani Olmo to an injury and have to make do without him for a month.

Fermin’s early return would provide Flick with a direct replacement for Olmo ahead of a marathon fixture schedule over the next three weeks.