MADRID (Reuters) – Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and fullback Alejandro Balde returned to training on Thursday as the injury-plagued LaLiga champions prepare to host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday with one eye on next week’s Clasico against Real Madrid.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is hopeful to regain several key players in time to face Real, but may need to be creative with his team selection for Bilbao due to injuries affecting eight first-team players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
Midfielder Sergi Roberto is the most recent addition to the injury list and will be out of action for several weeks after sustaining a leg injury during training on Wednesday.
Barca, who are currently three points behind Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, also have to deal with injuries to Jules Kounde, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Raphinha.
Kounde will definitely miss the game against Real Madrid next Saturday, but De Jong and Lewandowski have a slight chance of being fit for the Clasico.
Raphinha is reportedly making good progress, while Pedri is expected to return to training soon and might be available for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Leaders Real Madrid will visit Sevilla on Saturday and are set to face their former defender Sergio Ramos for the first time since his return to Real Madrid after a couple of seasons at Paris St Germain.
They are anticipating the availability of centre-back David Alaba, who missed international duty with Austria due to a leg injury.
Jude Bellingham has been enjoying a run of excellent form since joining Real Madrid, impressing both at club and international level as an England midfielder.
The 20-year-old delivered another outstanding performance on Tuesday at Wembley, leading England to a 3-1 comeback victory against Italy, and has scored 10 goals in his first 10 matches for Madrid.
On Saturday, Atletico Madrid will travel to Galicia to face struggling Celta Vigo, who are currently in the relegation zone and have Rafa Benitez as their manager.
With a game in hand on the teams above them, Atletico is in fourth place with 19 points, two points behind Barca in third place and three points behind surprise package of the season so far, Girona, who will host bottom side Almeria on Sunday.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)
