Koundé could be fit for Barcelona against Real Madrid

Jules Koundé hasn’t yet been ruled out of the game against Real Madrid on 16 October. And it appears more and more likely that the central defender could even be fully fit in time for the game at the Bernabeu. With two weeks to go, the French international’s recovery is going from strength to strength, so much so that on Thursday he took to the field to do some continuous running with a club physio.

Koundé may be ready for Real Madrid but not Inter

In any case, Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández will have to wait a few more days to know whether Koundé will be available for El Clásico, with the Barça medical team not willing to take any risks with the player. He will definitely not feature in the next two LaLiga fixtures against Real Mallorca and Celta Vigo, or in the Champions League double-header with Inter.

Koundé suffered a hamstring injury a week ago and was initially ruled out for four to five weeks. Tests carried out in Barcelona, though, have since revealed that the injury is not as bad as was first feared, with three to four weeks the revised prognosis. However, Koundé has stepped up his recovery in the last few days and has felt no ill effects, which means he could be coming towards the end of his rehabilitation.

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Frenkie De Jong available to face Inter

Frenkie de Jong, another player who picked up an injury on international duty, is expected to return from his hamstring strain before Koundé, with the Dutchman set to be available for next Tuesday’s match against Inter. But the other two who suffered fitness issues while they were away with their national teams – Memphis Depay and Ronald Araújo – face a long wait until they are able to return to action.