Barcelona handed huge defensive injury boost ahead of Inter clash | OneFootball

Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde is closing in on a return from injury in the build-up to Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter.

Balde hasn't played since 12 April when he was forced off with a hamstring problem in the first half of Barcelona's La Liga win over Leganes. The defender has missed four games in three competitions since, including Sunday's Copa del Rey final triumph against Real Madrid.

But the recovery process is almost complete and Barca are now tasked with deciding how and when Balde returns to action.

AS writes that caution, due to it being a hamstring injury with risk of relapse, is being exercised by club officials. But there is to be a meeting with Balde on Monday to work out what the next steps should look like, with a fitness assessment expected to be part of that.

Balde was a spectator at the Copa del Rey final / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Balde is understandably thought to be keen to face Inter on Wednesday and a lot is set to depend on how he comes through and feels after this week's tests.

Hansi Flick would rather not take a risk with the 21-year-old and potentially lose him for the rest of the season if he is pushed too soon. The final decision will be a "consensus" after Balde, the coaching staff and medical department have all had their input.

The other possibility is that his return is delayed until the weekend, when Barca face Real Valladolid in La Liga, in order to be "fully available" for the return game against Inter next Tuesday instead. Ether way, it appears likely that Balde will play in at least one of the semi-final legs.

Barcelona don't have another first-team left-back, with Gerard Martin the primary stand-in for Balde. The 23-year-old, registered with Barca B, started the Copa del Rey final and other games against Celta Vigo and Borussia Dortmund. Teenager Hector Fort got the nod against Mallorca.