Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was not part of Barcelona’s squad to face Osasuna last night after it came to light that he had suffered a medical setback.
The club soon confirmed that it was a bout of gastroenteritis that had struck the Polish international, and no clear deadline was given on his potential return.
Now, however, Mundo Deportivo reports that Szczesny has recovered from his illness and even trained normally with the team earlier today.
Set to return
Hansi Flick’s plans were not significantly altered by the veteran’s absence, given that Joan Garcia is fit and the first-choice goalkeeper by some distance.
Szczesny, meanwhile, is expected to return to the squad to face Guadalajara midweek in the Copa del Rey, although it remains to be seen if he features on the night.
Who will start in the Copa del Rey clash midweek? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
With Marc-Andre Ter Stegen injured, Szczesny has been Barcelona’s first-choice backup goalkeeper and even did a fabulous job replacing Garcia when the new signing was forced to undergo surgery earlier this year.
In that sense, he should be the one starting the Cup game midweek, given Barcelona’s usual policy of handing the Copa del Rey to the backup goalkeepers.
Ter Stegen’s return to the squad against Alaves, however, makes that decision complicated, for there is now a good chance the manager opts to deploy the German international on the night.
After all, he merits a start as the captain, and the board will also be keen for him to see a few minutes to remind potential suitors of his availability for the upcoming winter transfer window.
So far this season, Szczesny has made six league starts for Barcelona and averaged 2.8 saves per game in addition to making two successful runs out per game.