Frenkie De Jong of FC Barcelona during the La Liga EA Sports 2026/2027 match between FC Barcelona and Real Racing Club de Santander at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Barcelona are hoping that Frenkie de Jong will return to training with his team-mates after the international break ahead of a potential comeback in November.
De Jong hasn’t played yet this season for his club side after sustaining a knee injury during the World Cup and opting for conservative treatment.
According to Diario AS, the current aim is for De Jong to return to full training on October 5th. The club expect him to need around three weeks to get up to speed, meaning he could be available for the first time this season for the game against Alaves in La Liga on November 1st.
The update means that De Jong will miss key games against PSG and Real Madrid next month but the hope is that his return is now on the horizon.
Netherlands team manager Xavi Hernandez has said that the Dutchman is feeling good and happy with how his recovery is progressing when quizzed about the midfielder during the current international break.
Yet De Jong does face a real battle for minutes when he does return, particularly following the arrival of Rodri this summer.
However, his return to fitness will provide Hansi Flick with another valuable midfield option as the Barcelona boss aims to deliver more silverware this season.