Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is nearing a return to action, but his chances of playing against Borussia Dortmund remain slim, according to recent reports from SPORT.
Although Araujo has fully recovered from his injury, the coaching staff believes he needs a bit more time before he is ready for competitive action.
Despite this, Araujo is hopeful and waiting for confirmation that he can be included in the squad.
Next matches are doubtful
It must be noted that last Sunday, Araujo took part in a training match, which confirmed that he is medically fit and ready to return to the pitch.
However, the coaching staff wants him to build up more fitness through high-quality group training sessions before he is considered for selection.
As a result, the Uruguayan is expected to be excluded from the squad for Barcelona’s upcoming match against Real Betis this Saturday.
Ronald Araujo is unlikely to play against Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Interestingly, despite the setback, there is a possibility that Araujo could travel with the team to Dortmund for the Champions League clash on Tuesday.
This would allow him to acclimatise and get a feel for being back with the squad after five months away. However, it is clear that Araujo’s role in the match would be limited, with no real expectation of him playing.
When can Araujo play?
If Araujo does not make the list for the Dortmund match, he is likely to feature in Barcelona’s next home match against Leganes.
This would provide a more suitable opportunity for the defender to make his return, possibly getting some minutes in the second half as part of his gradual reintegration into the team.
Araujo’s return will be an important milestone for Barcelona, as he is a key player in the defence and one of the team’s most vital assets.
His recovery and gradual reintegration will play a significant role in the team’s defensive solidity moving forward.