Barcelona star could return after a year out in Joan Gamper Trophy match | OneFootball

A member of the midfield ranks at La Liga champions Barcelona is inching towards an imminent return to competitive duties.

That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Marc Bernal as the player in question.

Midfielder Bernal is for his part fresh off a return to group training, following almost a year on the sidelines.

After exploding onto the first-team stage early last season, the youngster suffered a devastating ACL injury, ruling him out for the remainder of the term.

Prior to Barcelona’s friendly clash with Vissel Kobe this past weekend, Bernal was spotted warming up intensely, a positive sign when it comes to his progression.

And though the 18-year-old is not expected to play his part in either of the remaining two fixtures on the Blaugrana’s pre-season tour of Asia, his return to the pitch may not be far off…

As per a report from Sport:

‘If no last-minute complications arise, Marc could reappear in the Gamper.’

The annual Joan Gamper Trophy match is set to be played out next month, with Hansi Flick’s troops primed to play host to Serie A side Como.

Conor Laird – GSFN