Frenkie de Jong is finally back! Barcelona handed long-awaited injury boost ahead of Champions League clash with Young Boys

Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong has been out of action since April due to ankle ligament damage, forcing him to miss the European Championship and the start of the 2024-25 campaign. However, Hansi Flick confirmed on Monday that the midfielder has regained his fitness and is expected to be back in action in the club's upcoming Champions League fixture against Young Boys on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, the former Bayern Munich boss said: "Yes, it’s great news to have Frenkie in the team, whether it’s five minutes or ten minutes. It’s very important for us. We see that the injured players are slowly but surely making their return to the squad and after October, maybe we will have two or three more players back.

"Any coach will be happy to have players rejoin the squad. Frenkie's attitude has been great, he has been involved with the team. He has seen the young players, he's been willing to help the team and we spoke about that before, we needed his presence. Now that the opportunity is here, he's gonna be ready, not perhaps to play 45 minutes but maybe 20 or 10 and it will do him a lot of good."

A report from Football Espana claimed that the Catalan giants have reportedly offered a new contract to De Jong. However, the 27-year-old is yet to respond, keeping the club in the dark over his long-term future. The player's current deal is set to run out in the summer of 2026.

After facing the Swiss club on Tuesday in the Champions League, Flick's side will be back in action in La Liga on Sunday when they take on Alaves.