Frenkie de Jong set to rejoin Barcelona training before Getafe visit

Barcelona will welcome Frenkie de Jong back into group training on Monday as Hansi Flick begins preparing his side for Saturday’s La Liga match against Getafe.

The Netherlands midfielder has yet to play for Barcelona this season after sustaining an injury during the World Cup. He has resumed ball work and is now expected to train with the available members of Flick’s squad.

De Jong’s return is the main positive development as Barcelona resume work following the September international break. The Catalan club have won all eight of their matches in La Liga and the Champions League this season, including seven league victories that have placed them five points clear at the top of the table.

That perfect start was interrupted by the international break, during which as many as 17 Barcelona players were called up by their countries.

Flick and the players who stayed in Barcelona have had a short rest since completing a series of sessions at the club’s training facilities. That break ends on Monday, when the manager and his available players return to the Ciutat Esportiva.

Their preparations will focus on Saturday’s meeting with Getafe at the Spotify Camp Nou, with the match beginning a demanding run of fixtures for Barcelona this month.

Alejandro Balde, Brian Farinas, Gavi, Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin and Gabriel Jesus are also expected to take part in Monday’s training session.

Further players will rejoin the group during the week. They include those who were not selected by their national teams, as well as members of the squad who have been recovering from minor physical problems.

Barcelona are not expected to have their complete squad together until Thursday, when the players involved in international duty are due to return.

As a result, Flick will have only two full training days with the entire group before the visit of Getafe. That limited preparation time comes with the club facing the first fixture in a busy month.