Dembélé joins Barça team-mates on the training ground

Just 81 days after rupturing a tendon on his left kneee, the French forward has taken one step closer to completing his recovery as he worked on a tailor-made training regime with one of Barça's fitness trainers, Juanjo Brau. The former Dortmund player continues to progress and move closer to working and training with the first-team squad.

Clásico aspirations

The player is keen to make a return for El Clásico, but Valverde is reportedly urging caution given the severity of Dembélé's injury and the fact that he insisted on playing against Getafe in September, despite feeling some discomfort. Valverde later admitted that his inexperience may have led to the injury.