Just in: Injured Barcelona star back in group training ahead of schedule | OneFootball

After Gavi and Frenkie de Jong made their long-awaited return to group training over the past week, FC Barcelona have welcomed another injured star, Fermin Lopez, back into the fold.

The 21-year-old suffered a thigh injury while away with the Spain Under-21 national team camp earlier this month during the international break.

The Blaugrana had announced that Fermin would be looking at a three-week recovery period before making his comeback.

But reports on Monday had suggested that the attacking midfielder could be in line to make an earlier return.

Fermin’s back

Now, as reported by Victor Navarro, Fermin is indeed back in group training ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League encounter against AS Monaco on Thursday.

This comes as a timely boost for Barcelona as they had lost Dani Olmo to a thigh injury this past weekend and were thinly stretched in the midfield department.

Back in training. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Fermin’s return to training means Hansi Flick can have a direct replacement for the 26-year-old summer signing in the No. 10 position for the upcoming matches.

Will Fermin be ready for AS Monaco?

While the La Masia ace has indeed resumed training with the rest of the squad, his availability for Thursday’s clash against Monaco remains under doubt.

Reports indicate that Flick & co. might not wish to rush him back and push his return to Sunday’s game against Villarreal or next week against Getafe.

Either way, Fermin’s return to training with the squad is a big boost for the La Liga leaders, who are thriving despite the spate of injuries.

As for Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, they are continuing building their fitness by working with the group, although their return is likely to take place next month.