Injured Barcelona defender working hard to return after international break | OneFootball

Over a month after sustaining an injury and shifting to the sidelines through pubalgia, Eric Garcia is close to a return to the group and is working hard to ensure his swift incorporation.

The La Masia graduate is, after all, in the final stretch of his recovery and hopes to utilise the two-week hiatus from club football to return to 100%. His goal is to enter the team’s dynamics for the clash against Celta Vigo immediately after the break.

A double objective

While a return to fitness and Hansi Flick’s plans is indeed Garcia’s primary objective, SPORT brings to light that he has an added impetus pushing him ahead of his incorporation into the group.

Naturally a centre-back by trade, the youngster has played in central defence almost for his entire career so far. It was only under Xavi Hernandez that he shifted to the role of a pivot, and Flick continued the same given the team’s situation.

Eric Garcia closing in on a comeback. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)

With Frenkie de Jong and Gavi back in the dynamics, however, the defensive midfield is well covered and Garcia’s role will thus shift to that of a centre-back once more.

Needless to say, the youngster is excited by the prospect of playing in his natural position once more as a backup to Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez who have been in fine form this season.

Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are still about a month away from returning, and it gives Garcia a solid chance to prove his worth and rack up minutes through rotation.

The 23-year-old showed in the Olympic Games that he has a good connection with Cubarsi and will look to dish out more such performances in the weeks to come. His return is undoubtedly a massive boost for the German manager.